I know multiple trainers in the CD have even refused to trial at Wanganui since its opened due to the amount of muscle injuries occurring there. Apparently the clubs looking at using the straight track for all sprints after its built which is ludicrous because straight tracks are typically for fast and strong 450m dogs, not 300m sprinters.
Sounds like palmy isnt much better now. Hearing broken hocks there every week.
Its no wonder racing in the CD is dead with how Palmy is getting run now. No tote, no places to buy food and drinks. I went to a meeting there recently and its so dreadful and boring. How are you meant to get new people into the industry when the atmosphere is that bad? Especially when its the sole track in the CD for over a year now. You can say what you want about Paul Freeman, the racedays never looked that bad while he was president.
As for Cole, I'd imagine the amount of new regulations would be costly on a trainer with 150+ dogs in his care. Hard to maximise profits in that case. I think some of the regulations are silly but many of them are needed for racing to keep its social license and many of these should have been implemented a decade ago. I think its been to little to late in this regard.
All in all racing is looking miserable everywhere besides Addington. And i dont think those in charge have made things any better. I know I will no longer be investing in any more racing dogs and i know multiple others who will not.