The earlier races will see depleted fields being paraded to the starting traps, with just two greyhounds being left to contest the opening 520m event.
As of yesterday, Greyhound Racing NZ (GRNZ) has closed down eight kennels that have greyhounds infected with kennel cough. Included is the potent Lisa Cole kennels.
It was a sublime evening of racing last Friday for Cole, mentoring both Group race winners, plus placing greyhounds on top of the podium in seven other races.
Understandably, Lisa and Brendon Cole are devastated by the enforced kennel shut down.
"We have 700 greyhounds on our property. The costs associated with running the operation are massive," said Brendon.
"We have 12 full-time staff employed on a contract basis here who cannot be let go owing to the work required in just maintaining the dogs.
"People say 'look at the money you have been winning' – what they don't realise is we put every dollar won straight back into the business."
NZ Racing Integrity Unit head greyhound stipendiary Steward Scott Wallis said: "Greyhounds who are scratched pre-meeting or during race meeting kennelling with kennel cough receive a 21-day stand down.
"Under GRNZ protocol any greyhounds accepted from affected kennels for forthcoming meetings are then immediately withdrawn.
"GRNZ then liaises with the trainers involved the procedure they are required to take to resume racing [nominate again]."
Kennel cough is a viral infection which can be quickly transmitted through the air as droplets causing infections to other greyhounds, while human contact can inadvertently transfer the virus.
The virus impacts on respiratory elements of a dog. All pups are compulsory vaccinated, however different strains of the virus can cause havoc within the greyhound population as seen in this current outbreak, which is thought to have originated from a recently imported Australian greyhound.
