A decline of horses primarily based in Damaged Hill is being attributed as the primary cause for a delayed begin to the native harness racing season.
Key factors:
- Native race horse numbers are shrinking in Damaged Hill
- Most opponents are from interstate or completely different elements of NSW
- The native racing physique hopes to draw new curiosity to the game
Earlier this week the Damaged Hill Harness Racing Membership committee introduced its first race assembly for 2023 had been cancelled.
Membership consultant Tony Camilleri mentioned the organisation had been feeling constructive going into the brand new 12 months, following a current injection of funds from Harness Racing NSW to extend native prize cash.
Nonetheless, with conflicting race schedules and ongoing flooding throughout the state making journey to distant areas tougher, its reliance on interstate opponents had been uncovered.
“We’re at a state of affairs at this time second the place we do depend on horses from interstate, primarily from Mildura, to bolster our numbers,” Mr Camilleri mentioned.
“Now we have for just a few years now simply via the dwindling numbers of trainers in Damaged Hill.
“After I first began again within the very early ’80s, it was very robust, thriving as much as 20, 30-odd trainers and I feel we’re again now to about eight or 9.”
Want for a long-term resolution
Mr Camilleri believes a want to maneuver to areas the place the game is extra aggressive and financially viable has been an enormous cause for a lot of native trainers transferring away in current a long time.
He mentioned, for now, the out-of-town trainers have been serving to to maintain the game alive within the far west.
However he additionally mentioned the membership was working with varied organisations, together with Harness Racing NSW, to try to construct extra native curiosity.
“There’s just a few plans and irons within the fireplace to implement packages getting individuals who have no background in [harness racing] into the sport.
“We’re in talks with completely different organisations that cope with, say, troubled youth, faculties and people sorts of areas the place they’ll come out and see it as an avenue of employment.”
Eager for the 12 months forward
Mr Camilleri acknowledged the begin to the 12 months was disappointing for the membership committee, however he was optimistic in regards to the the rest of the season.
“It is just a bit hiccup this primary assembly and I feel it could actually solely get higher from right here.
“Lacking the primary assembly has form of spiked some curiosity so far as folks eager to get entangled. I’ve had some folks method me already about gaining a horse or two.
“It isn’t going to occur this week or in all probability subsequent week, however we might even see anyplace from two to 5 additional horses on the town, which is a good assist in pushing ahead.”
