Locals Lament Upsetting Lismore Track Closure

DIANE Cotroneo says it is like “losing your first born”, while her husband Joe says “how do we close a place like that”.

“That place” is Lismore greyhound track and Joe and Diane have every right to be intensely upset about the announcement last week that racing will cease there.

The track has not raced since being devastated by flooding again earlier in the year.

Joe and Diane have been on the Northern Rivers of NSW since 1973 and Joe has been a GBOTA Director for 22 years. Greyhound racing at Lismore has been their life.

“There have been unbelievable times at that track,” said Joe.

“It's been going for 90 years. There is a lot of history at the place.”

Foremost in Joe's memory is champion Rapid Journey's win in the Lismore Cup, coming from three lengths behind Wigan Bale on the home turn to win.

“He got there,” said Joe. “I don't know how he did it.

“And what about my old mate Brian Kutner, who died recently, bringing his great dog Token Jet here to break the track record.

“Bogie Leigh won the Cup and so did Carnival Melody. Gee, they are grand memories.

“Lismore was the first track outside the city to run a Cup worth $40,000 to the winner.”

Joe says the feeling among owners and trainers on the Northern Rivers is that they need a two-turn track.

Mal Ross has been a trainer for 40 years.

“It puts a hole into the entire training operation of greyhounds in this area,” said Mal.

“Not having a two-turn track means we are restricted to the circle at Casino and the one-turn track at Grafton, and some dogs are not suited by either.

“Lismore was the perfect operation for educating young pups.

“I think GRNSW could have given Lismore one more go.

“I believe Lismore could have been up and racing one month after the floods, even if we were restricted to day racing.”

Ross says the two-turn track alternative is now Ipswich and Albion Park in Queensland and both are three hours away.

Andrew Monaghan knows that only too well.

“Sarah and I have been taking turns two and three times a week to head to Ipswich or Albion Park just to trial and then race,” said Andrew.

“But, we were always aware Lismore would not re-open after the latest flooding.

“Everyone in this area wants it to re-open, even if it is as a trial track.

“It is a shame it is closed. But that probably could not be helped. The track had been given plenty of warnings.”

Like Mal Ross, Andrew Monaghan is only too aware of the need for a two-turn track on the Rivers.

“It is three hours from here to Ipswich or Albion Park,” he said. “Then we wait around all day or night to race, or a few hours to trial, and there is another three hour trip home.

“We have been doing that for months now.”

Joe Cotroneo said he could come up with an alternate venue for a two-turn track in an instant.

And in good news for participants in the Northern Rivers, he plans to act on it.

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