THE Hobart Greyhound Racing Club turned 75 last week and celebrated with a party at last Thursday night’s meeting.
The HGRC ran its first race meeting at the now defunct TCA track on The Domain on January 30, 1935.
The first race that night was won by a Victorian greyhound Val Par and about 4000 people poured into the venue that was regarded as one of the best of its type in Australia at the time.
The meeting comprised 46 greyhounds that contested nine events with 15 of those dogs competing twice and six went around three times that night.
Greyhounds had to be tough in those days evidenced by the heats, semi-finals and final of the McRobertson Handicap, that carried a purse of fifty pounds, all run on the one night and there were at least 10 bookmakers fielding on course.
HGRC chairwoman Denise Fysh said the anniversary crept up on the club but it was fitting that the day was recognised.
“It (75 years) is quite a milestone for any club and well worth celebrating,” Fysh said.
It was fitting that the first winner on last Thursday night’s program was the youngest trainer in Tasmania in 19-year-old Nick Howard.
The club offered a trophy to the trainer of the first winner on the card.
There was plenty of reminiscing about the days of old being bandied about by the veterans of the industry so it was good to see the youth of today playing a dominant role on the track.
Howard prepared four of the eight finalists in the time honoured Hobart Maiden Thousand final, a feat usually reserved for the more experienced mentors.