Originally Epping racecourse was the circuit name for Harold park owned by N.S.W trotting club ,on May 28 1927 on a Saturday Night the tin hare took off for 1st time.
GCA greyhound coursing association was the brainchild of an American Frederick Swindle who called himself a judge , it may of been too much too soon 20-30000 people 180 bookies Saturday Night , horse racing industry, along with cinema groups plus others protested and it was shut down by the government who claimed no night time betting licence among other flaws.
In 1930 the new Lang government overturned the decision stating the common man was being deprived of simple pleasures.
Harold park continued with license through trotting club and another push conducted hound racing on trotting track , as I will repeat along the way man will always want to race Greyhounds.
1936 a new government created a sand track with varying distances Swindle was investigated for dodgy dealings in other matters jumped on an oil tanker and was never seen again.
1948 was a pivotal year world war 2 was 3 years in the past government passed fresh legislation,licensed greyhound breeders owners & trainers (GBOTA) conducted greyhound racing at HP from 1948 on a new grass surface, the track was special a spacious horseshoe type track sweeping bend with long straight ,and at night , the next four decades were magical for the greyhound industry in NSW Australia 🇦🇺!
500 yards 457 metres and 800 yards 732 metres were figures burnt into the brain of hound fans ,they were the distances of Harold park. Imagine the joy that huge crowds endured over the the years on a Saturday night as these majestic beasts would parade and then travel at 70 kms per hour sweeping around that bend and powering up the lengthy straight every dog had their chance and the track was revered by all .
Travel rev is arguably the best 800 yard dog to race there winning 12 of 13 races . The ringer won the most 500 yard races 19 ,Winifred bale 18 with many greats not far behind .
A special mention to Brother Fox in 1984 he lowered the 500 yard or 457 metric distance record to 25.82 in the vic peters final , it was the last time it tumbled and he’s for eternity ,an astonishing run.
Many fans from that era that I know regard the fox as the greatest dog ever ,the beauty of our game, thoughts are our own .
At this time I was a busy 18 year old watching the Angels and INXS at Selina’s or the Seals club ,but maybe it was him pulling me like a magnetic force to the hound sport , a few years earlier I went to Wentworth park with schoolmates and watched a magical blue bitch attempt to try and win her 14th race in a row “promises free” ,she did ! .
Seed was planted for me maybe that night although I never got to see the fox few years later crack that record I was mesmerised by the hounds and the greyhound recorder became my bible.
Remarkably Promises free and Brother Fox would have a litter they were whelped in November 1986 , called the litter of the century they didn’t disappoint and shaped the future I will spend some time on them later.
Correct I haven’t mentioned Zoom Top but she will come later as no.5 on the list of dogs that had a global influence of positivity.
October 1939 the birth of 2nd greyhound license was granted NCA National coursing association and the outer oval perimeter of the Wentworth park grounds was made into a track , totalisator machines were introduced for smaller punters who felt comfortable and the boom was on .
1941 approximately ,the NCA would race at HP and the two organisations worked together, but in the Bush the game was flourishing trains had special kennels built and the hounds would travel with their masters, in the early 40’s 50 tracks were up and running.
After the war in 1946 Wentworth park installed electronic starting boxes , camera photo finish, electric timing ,improved lighting things were on the move in 1949 it closed for 5 weeks further renovations and 18500 people attended for the refurbished re opening night that’s a lot of people at the Wentworth park I know .
So we’ve established the start in NSW strangely enough these two iconic tracks were only a few kms apart in the hustle and bustle of the city .Throughout our adventure we’ll alternate between decades here and there to tell stories welcome new tracks farewell old ones.
In the 1930’s in 🇬🇧 UK greyhound racing was the 3rd largest leisure activity and you could bet on it .At the same time in America 🇺🇸 it was flying as well ,so as I sign off today i would like to say our next chapter will be dedicated to the 1st dog I will unearth who was instrumental in attracting people 🌍 globally and promoting it more then anyone.
I would also like to thank Neil Brown for he’s dedication over many years , he claims an historical gene , absolutely ,some of these photos are courtesy of him I cannot wait to come down later in year and see he’s Greyhound Museum , maybe even shake he’s hand and ask some questions only he can answer, I hear its fantastic and will only get better .
Remember my Houndbound life is thru my eyes and some may disagree with few facts , but I hope your enjoying ,I’m not really promoting it ,but it’s for everyone to share and maybe help some people understand what it means to us .
So until next time Hounfrenz 💚
My Houndbound life 