A decline of horses based in Broken Hill is being attributed as the main reason for a delayed start to the local harness racing season.
Earlier this week the Broken Hill Harness Racing Club committee announced its first race meeting for 2023 had been cancelled.
Club representative Tony Camilleri said the organisation had been feeling positive going into the new year, following a recent injection of funds from Harness Racing NSW to increase local prize money.
However, with conflicting race schedules and ongoing flooding across the state making travel to remote areas more difficult, its reliance on interstate competitors had been exposed.
"We're at a situation at the present moment where we do rely on horses from interstate, mainly from Mildura, to bolster our numbers," Mr Camilleri said.
"We have for a few years now just through the dwindling numbers of trainers in Broken Hill.
"When I first started back in the very early '80s, it was very strong, thriving up to 20, 30-odd trainers and I think we're back now to about eight or nine."
Need for a long-term solution
Mr Camilleri believes a desire to move to areas where the sport is more competitive and financially viable has been a big reason for many local trainers moving away in recent decades.
He said, for now, the out-of-town trainers were helping to keep the sport alive in the far west.
But he also said the club was working with various organisations, including Harness Racing NSW, to try and build more local interest.
"There's a few plans and irons in the fire to implement programs getting people who don't have any background in [harness racing] into the game.
"We're in talks with different organisations that deal with, say, troubled youth, schools and those types of areas where they can come out and see it as an avenue of employment."
Hopeful for the year ahead
Mr Camilleri acknowledged the start to the year was disappointing for the club committee, but he was optimistic about the remainder of the season.
"It's just a little hiccup this first meeting and I think it can only get better from here.
"Missing the first meeting has sort of spiked some interest as far as people wanting to get involved. I've had some people approach me already about gaining a horse or two.
"It's not going to happen this week or probably next week, but we may see anywhere from two to five extra horses in town, which is a great help in pushing forward."
