The Casino Greyhound Club will celebrate a major milestone this Friday, marking 90 years since its first race meeting was staged.
The club’s history dates back to 18 March 1936, when the Casino Tattersalls Jockey Club held its inaugural greyhound racing meeting at Carrington Park, now known as Queen Elizabeth Park.
About 1500 patrons attended the opening event, while others watched from outside, as those under 18 were not permitted to enter.
“My grandfather and his family were there that night, and that’s where it all started for the Northfields in greyhound racing,” said Casino President Mitch Northfield, whose family has long been associated with the sport in the Northern Rivers.
The track has undergone several upgrades over the decades, with a mechanical lure introduced in 1938 and lighting installed in 1978. In 2015, the grass track was replaced with loam as part of a $750,000-plus upgrade, followed by new lighting in 2022.
“Probably the most satisfaction in my 20 years as President at the Club was putting the sand track down. We sort of did 90% of that ourselves with our money,” Northfield said.
“We’ve had some very good secretaries throughout the time here at the club. We’ve been very lucky having the likes of Don Waldron, Bruce Knight, Ronnie Herd – who steered us through the sand track renovation, and the new lighting – and now Donna Pezet is doing a great job.”
Twelve races are scheduled for the anniversary meeting, with the club boosting prizemoney by an extra $2000 per race.
The event will also feature a barbecue, raffles, free face painting, and sample bags for children, along with $5 beers and $8 mixers/cruisers for adults.
Greyhound Racing NSW Chief Executive Officer Steve Griffin will attend the celebrations and has congratulated the club on reaching the milestone.
“It will be a wonderful occasion for the Casino Club on Friday and I encourage locals to come along and join in the celebrations,” Griffin said.
“Throughout the years, the Casino Club’s committee and staff have always worked tirelessly to ensure their club, the track, and their weekly race meetings are a success, and also to support the local participants in the region, which is a real heartland for our sport.”
“On behalf of greyhound racing in NSW and my organisation, I congratulate Mitch, Donna, and all the committee and staff at Casino on reaching this milestone, and I can’t wait to celebrate with them on Friday.”
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