Tensions Rise As Devonport Card Abandoned

THE bitter breakdown of relations between the Devonport Agricultural & Pastoral Society and North West Greyhound Racing Club has escalated rapidly resulting in the abandonment of today's Devonport meeting.

Officials of the North West Greyhound Racing Club, which preside over racing at Devonport, arrived at the Showground on Tuesday morning to find the gates locked and the venue inaccessible .

It's understood representatives of the show society had flagged potential COVID-19 issues as their rationale for making the grounds unavailable for today's greyhound program.

The decision was reached despite Tasracing meeting all government obligations to see all three codes of racing continue.

In addressing the matter, Paul Eriksson, chief executive officer of Tasracing, said:

"I can assure participants there will be a continuance of racing," Eriksson said.

"The Show Society locked the gates which forced the abandonment of today's meeting. Prize money for the program will be split accordingly and for now that's all I can say on the matter."

Tensions between the Show Society and the greyhound and harness codes have been bubbling away for some time now.

The Show Society has been pressing to redevelop the showground into affordable housing while Tasracing, with a firm lease in hand, is adamant the venue will continue to conduct both greyhound and harness racing.

Earlier this week, Meghan Shearer, executive officer of the Devonport Agricultural and Pastoral Society, questioned Tasracing's decision to proceed with racing amid the coronavirus pandemic.