More than $15,000 prize money will be on offer over the four meetings culminating in the South Kempsey Tyre Centre cup final worth a cool $2500 to the winner.

Other major races in the carnival will be sponsored by prominent local businesses including Hawkens Mowers, the Kempsey Heights Bowling Club, Kempsey-Macleay RSL and Carpet Court. Kempsey Greyhound Racing Club (KGRC) vice-president Sue Wade said the carnival was a traditional highlight of the Kempsey greyhound racing season.

“It is a well established carnival that goes back more than 30 years,” she said.

“It is an exciting time for the club with good fields coming from all over the region and hopefully some good racing and fast times.”

Greyhound racing is something of a family affair with Sue Wade’s daughter Vicky Byrnes serving as the club president and various family members performing every task from groundskeeper to running the bar.

“I only got into when a neighbour offered us a greyhound about 40 years ago. My husband at the time, his father had raced greyhounds, so he knew a bit about it and it all started from there.”

In an effort to smarten up the image of the trainers before and after races the club has requested that they adopt a black and white colour scheme for their clothing for the four carnival race meetings. “It will look a lot better in pictures and it is easier for the spectators to easily identify who is connected with the dogs.”

The KGRC is hoping that spectators will take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the May carnival.

“We are attracting a few social and sporting clubs who see the races as a good day out which is pleasing; we hope to see a lot of people turning out for the carnival.”

The first race tomorrow is at 1pm, with full bar canteen and tote on the races available on course.

The Kempsey greyhound racing track is located in East St, South Kempsey.

Search Kempsey Greyhound Racing Track on Facebook for all the details