‘Brilliant’ start to trialling at The Q

By Pat McLeod

“Just brilliant”.

They are the two words that respected South East Queensland trainer John Dart used to describe his first experience with trialling at The Q.

The state-of-the-art greyhound racing facility, at Purga, near Ipswich, opened its doors for official trialling on Tuesday and trainers have loved their first taste.

About 110 dogs trialled out of the 352, 390 and 457 metre boxes on the Q1 Lakeside, one-turn track.

“I have raced almost everywhere and there is nothing like it – just brilliant,” Dart said.

Dart is based at Hatton Vale, west of Ipswich.

“I have raced at the old Harold Park track (Sydney) through to the newer track at Grafton and there is not another track like this. It’s great," Dart said. 

“I put three young, unraced dogs around and what is the most positive aspect is the dogs handled running on the track really well. They didn't falter, they just galloped really well. The track is very easy for a dog to handle. Very safe.

“These dogs have trialled at Casino, Ipswich, Albion Park and they handled this track as well as any of those. Obviously there is still a lot of work to be done at the facility, but from a trainer’s perspective, at this stage, everything you want is here.

“The sand is great, the boxes seem to be in the right spot, the kennels behind the boxes, the covered car park for the trainers - I am very happy with it all. As I said, it’s brilliant.”

The Queensland Greyhound Racing Club’s Ipswich Operations Manager Wayne Siekman, who is overseeing the initial trials at The Q, said Dart’s comments were echoed by other trainers.

“Trainers involved have been very complimentary, really positive, about the track and its surface,” Siekman said.

“Everything is working well so far, which is what this is all about. The dogs are chasing and going into the pen, the lures are working well.

“These trials are all about seeing parts of this new facility come to life – the lure in action, the boxes opening, the gates shutting - everything connecting and working.

“It is all really positive from our end. The trainers have been very good in understanding that it is still a construction site. 

“The most positive aspect at the end of the day, is that this facility has been built for the greyhounds and ultimately the greyhound trainers are the ones who are controlling their greyhounds, so it is built for them, to provide the safest surface and venue in Australia, if not the world.

“So, it is heartening to hear comments from trainers supporting that.”

About 130 dogs are expected to trial on Wednesday, with further trialling scheduled for Friday (March 21), Monday (March 24), Tuesday (March 25) and Wednesday (March 26).

‘Picnic’ meetings at the Q1 Lakeside (one-turn) track are scheduled for Friday, March 28, and Monday, March 31, with the first official race meeting planned for Friday, April 4, on the Q1 Lakeside (one-turn) track.