WARRNAMBOOL Greyhound Racing Club boss Craig Monigatti expects high-profile races to lure a high standard of trainers and chasers as Wannon Park prepares for its annual seaside festival.
The club kicked off the first of six meetings on Monday, welcoming crowds to the track in a major boost to its on-track atmosphere.
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COVID-19 restrictions had previously forced the club to run for the best part of 18 months without spectators as the industry - which implemented strict protocols to stop the spread of the virus - raced through lockdowns.
Monigatti said the club was thrilled to welcome families back to the track and said the return of the popular Summer Sizzle race would highlight the festival.
He said the Mepunga Oaks and Aston Derby - races for female and male dogs respectively - would also add an interesting dynamic to the calendar.
"Some of the heats for the sizzle start this week which is exciting," Monigatti said.
"The Mepunga and Aston names are some of the biggest in breeding at the moment and we're rapt they've been able to get behind the club. Last year was the first year we had those two events and we were able to get some wonderful greyhounds racing."
He said the club would bring back children's entertainment now COVID restrictions had been reduced and urged both local and tourist families to consider a night out at the dogs.
Visit grv.org.au for race dates.
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Nick Ansell
Nick Ansell is a sports journalist at the Warrnambool Standard.
Nick Ansell is a sports journalist at the Warrnambool Standard.
