Leading greyhound identity backs Bundaberg track change

By Jordan Gerrans

Champion dog man Mick Zammit has backed the decision for the Bundaberg Greyhound Racing Club to be converted to a sand track.

It was announced late last year that Bundaberg’s current grass surface will soon be changed to a sand track to fall in line with the majority of other tracks in the Sunshine State.

The works will see a new surface laid, as well as a repositioned 460-metre start and rail realignment to include transitions in and out of turns.

The conversion to a sand surface will provide for a more consistent surface, which has advantages for racing safety and track maintenance.

As a result, the works should ensure that Bundaberg can race on a weekly basis, while allowing for race meeting growth and the ability to host transferred meetings.

Zammit trains his team of greyhounds in partnership with his wife Selena and the team are the reigning champions of Bundaberg’s biggest prize – the Group 2 Cup – which they won with All Natural earlier this month.

The long-time leading figure in the industry believes the track surface change will see Bundaberg go ahead in leaps and bounds.

“I think it is a plus because with the new track, they can race and trial more often on it,” Zammit said.

“It is probably easier to maintain in general for an even surface.

“For trainers, I think it is a step in the right direction and I think it will be great.”

The Zammit clan have enjoyed a charmed run in recent times with All Natural’s litter brother Jay Is Jay, who was crowned the Queensland Greyhound of the Year on Friday night.

Works are expected to be completed in the second half of 2024 on the Bundaberg track and will be undertaken to ensure minimal disruption to participants.

“Some of the world's most authoritative voices on track design and racing safety continue to inform the decision-making on greyhound track projects in Queensland,” Racing Queensland's CEO Jason Scott said.

“With Queensland’s two-turn tracks all utilising a sand surface, including The Q which is presently under construction, the time is right to convert Bundaberg as well.

“Importantly, these works will also put the Club in a position to accommodate additional racing and trialing for an industry that continues to grow in the region.”

Top South East Queensland-based trainers annually travel north to Bundaberg for their Cup series.

Bundaberg’s Sky Racing caller Liam Mulry thinks SEQ dogs and trainers heading north to race will likely become more frequent outside of the Cup series when the track is converted.

“I think we will see more people from South East Queensland willing to support the Bundaberg meetings once it goes to sand as well,” Mulry said.

Mulry speaks to Bundaberg participants on a daily basis and believes there is widespread support for the new racing surface.

“I think it is a good decision for the consistency of the race track,” Mulry said.

“The feeling around it locally is good, there is a few local people who have raced on the grass for a long time and maybe they were questioning the decision at first but I think we will find the majority are happy to go with the process.

“I think it has become a positive outcome for the local trainers.”

Mulry notes that the sand track could open the door for Bundaberg to host more than one race meeting a week.

Bundaberg Greyhound Racing Club President Stephen Bland is keen to race twice a week once the sand track is up and running and floated the idea of also having twilight and night meetings in the ‘Rum City’.

Bland believes locals in the area are more likely to attend twilight and night meetings.