Opawa Danny comes down the home straight in race 10.
Waipā Home of Champions and Waikato said farewell to greyhound racing last Thursday at Cambridge Raceway.
The closure follows a 20-month wind down period after the Government announced the ban on commercial greyhound racing in December 2024, allowing time for industry participants to transition and for greyhounds to begin moving into homes and rehoming programmes.
Racegoers gathered together for a last few photos. Photo: Jesse Wood
As the July 31 closure loomed, commentator Aaron White said mother nature has turned it on for the final day in the Waikato.
Several hundred viewers came for the last harrah at the track throughout the afternoon.
Plenty of subtle and not so hidden messages were in the 15 final race names – Thanks Garrards For All Your Support, Thanks To Our Track Curators, Thank You Clubhouse Cambridge, Appreciating Owners Sticking By Us, Not Above Or Below Right Beside You, Find Adoption Agencies Online, Owners Trainers United To The End, Trainers Be Proud Of What We Do, Good Luck To Those Heading To Aussie, All The Best For New Pathways Ahead, Look After Your People Be Kind, Best Welfare Standards In The Game, Cambridge Raceway We Thank You and GRNZ Staff We Walk Together As One.
The last greyhound race winner at Cambridge Raceway was Bay Flyer, trained by Pukekohe-based Glennis Farrell, at number seven in the final race, “Until The End Its Our Time Farewell”, at 4.37pm.
Te Awamutu-based Corey Steele had 10 dogs racing on Thursday, while his parents Wayne and Tracy had 17.
Race 10 winner Opawa Danny with Corey Steele as he waves to the camera on the last track day. Photo: Jesse Wood
He had three winners – No Visual (race seven), Opawa Danny (race 10) and Tin Tin Bust (race three – extra) – a bittersweet end of an era.
In the last race, Corey’s Opawa Sooty and Sweet Bonanza, raced alongside Opawa Blake and Opawa Trevor (trained by his parents), Portland Magnum (trained by Tracey and Lisa Craik) and the final winner Bay Flyer.
Supporters clapped them off the track for a final time as the sun shone on the podium.
Plenty of tears and laughter filled the raceway.
White ended his commentary saying “they may have taken our industry, but they haven’t taken our memories in the industry”.
Many trainers are now left to ponder, what’s next? Photo: Jesse Wood
Punters, supporters and industry members clap the trainers off the track for the last time at Cambridge Raceway. Photo: Jesse Wood
Corey said he was pretty easy going about it, they were aware of the situation leading into the final day.
“I just treated today like it was my first race day, not my last,” Corey said.
“The dogs performed to the best that they could. They’ve had a great time out there.
“I’m more sad for them that they’re not going to be able to enjoy coming to the races. But they’re going to live great lives. They’re wonderful pets.
“It is very bittersweet, but it is what it is.”
Corey is still unsure what path he will take next, but plenty of soul searching is on the horizon.
“Right up until today it was business as usual for the dogs. They never got less than what they got two years ago, a year ago, six months ago,” Corey said.
“We’ll get home from the races today, still get up same time tomorrow, do the same routine and just spend the next few weeks thinking about life, seeing where it takes us.
“For lack of better words, we’ve got no idea what’s next. We’ll just see where we end up.”
A statement from the SPCA said with racing concluding, the focus shifts to ensuring greyhounds exiting the industry have the opportunity to enjoy life as cherished companion animals.
Around 1300 greyhounds are now expected to require rehoming, substantially fewer than the 1700 previously forecast by Greyhound Racing New Zealand.
Radio New Zealand reported that 150 dogs could be sent to Australia.
Opawa Danny comes down the home straight in race 10. Photo: Jesse Wood