Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) today announced its intention to return to racing at Wentworth Park and implement other Saturday City prizemoney options for all State participants as part of a new zoned racing schedule for June.

The new racing schedule, which will be released on the website in the next 24 hours, applies the same biosecurity and health and safety measures implemented by GRNSW and the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission (GWIC) during COVID-19 but now increases racing and prizemoney opportunities for participants.

The June schedule is based on participants being able to race their greyhounds within one of three zones depending on their location.

The zones are: 

The new zones will become effective for the meetings which have nominations closing on Thursday May 21.

GRNSW CEO Tony Mestrov said:

“This is the next phase of GRNSW’s plans to re-emerge to a more normal racing pattern, and a decision we have made in line with NSW Government’s restrictions and all health and safety advice.

“I thank participants for their understanding in difficult times for their compliance with the initial regional zoning plans that allowed us to continue racing under safe conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Working with GWIC, we are of course remaining vigilant on all health and safety measures to protect the wellbeing of participants and all communities.”

Mr Mestrov said he was pleased that racing has been scheduled to return to Wentworth Park on June 6.

“The return to Wentworth Park has been something I know that has been eagerly awaited by participants,” he said.

“In this next phase, Wentworth Park will be available for all participants within the Metro/Southern, Hunter and New England regions.

“For participants in the two other zoned regions (Riverina/Western Districts and Northern Rivers) we have decided to schedule meetings at tracks within those respective regions that carry Saturday City prizemoney levels."

In the new racing calendat to be released tomorrow, participants will also see the addition of Nowra and Casino.

GRNSW will continue to monitor the advice of the NSW Government and health authorities and will provide further instructions to industry as it come to hand.

As the case has been since the inception of COVID-19 restrictions, GRNSW is continuing to constantly review its phased approach towards returning to the pre COVID-19 racing schedule, as always based on Government restrictions being eased, and the information, advice and direction of health authorities and experts.