Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club Inc

About Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club Inc

The founding of the Gabba Greyhound Racing Club at the same ground as Brisbane’s hallowed home of Test cricket – Woolloongabba – would prove to be one of the great success stories of post World War 2 Queensland sport. Openly laughed at by many as being doomed to failure, no night greyhound racing had been run in Brisbane since 1928, when greyhounds raced under gas lights. The 1928 Gabba meetings were subjected to strict government regulations and no bookmakers or betting was allowed. Up to 20 races were run on a program with prizemoney ranging from 2 pounds ($4) to 5 pounds ($10) for feature events. The meetings featured greyhounds chasing a mechanical lure known as a tin hare. Novelty events such as hurdle races, with monkeys being used as jockeys, were put on for crowd entertainment. However the lack of betting meant the concept was doomed to failure. Of that demise one publication later wrote, “No doubt the vested interest was too strong (thoroughbreds) and was able to persuade the government not to encourage the sport”.