Greyhound Racing in Perry Vale?
Greyhound Racing in Perry Vale?
Ive heard recently that there used to be greyhound racing on Sundays somehwere around the Perry Vale area. I don't know where and I don't know when. Anyone know anymore?
Thomas I'm very interested in this also. I got these quotes from a man on a greyhound forum:
It was the Perry Vale near Catford.It was on land more or les on a triangle of Forest Hill,Sydenham and Bellingham.The hare was aleather football attached to a cable with a rabbit skin tied to the laces of the ball.The cable was pulled round the track because it was driven by an old motor car up on jacks with the tyre removed from the wheel.The wheel was made bigger so the cable could never slip off the rim.As the lure was pulled round the bends it swung very wide but it couldnt go off the track because the fencing kept it in.Sometimes it would hit the fence and bounce back onto a straight line.The track was 400 yards round and there was only one lap because the cable wasnt long enough to go further.Dogs had to be kennelled by 9.30am to start racing at 10.30am .The break was 12.30 and resume at3pm while the second lot of dogs were kennelled up.Although it was a Sunday there were three or four bookmakers in attendance.
After each race a man had to get hold of the ball attached to the cable and pull it back all round the track.The dogs were all greyhounds except for the odd lurcherbut long as they chased it was alright.Itwas spot grading but very good.
Talking of old photos I still have the picture of me and my black and white dog I used to race at Perry Vale.He had been disqualified at Catford but was one of them that was very genuine behind a ball hare.He won plenty of races at Perry Vale and in the end they couldnt grade him.
I'l try and contact the poster and see if I can meet him.
It was the Perry Vale near Catford.It was on land more or les on a triangle of Forest Hill,Sydenham and Bellingham.The hare was aleather football attached to a cable with a rabbit skin tied to the laces of the ball.The cable was pulled round the track because it was driven by an old motor car up on jacks with the tyre removed from the wheel.The wheel was made bigger so the cable could never slip off the rim.As the lure was pulled round the bends it swung very wide but it couldnt go off the track because the fencing kept it in.Sometimes it would hit the fence and bounce back onto a straight line.The track was 400 yards round and there was only one lap because the cable wasnt long enough to go further.Dogs had to be kennelled by 9.30am to start racing at 10.30am .The break was 12.30 and resume at3pm while the second lot of dogs were kennelled up.Although it was a Sunday there were three or four bookmakers in attendance.
After each race a man had to get hold of the ball attached to the cable and pull it back all round the track.The dogs were all greyhounds except for the odd lurcherbut long as they chased it was alright.Itwas spot grading but very good.
Talking of old photos I still have the picture of me and my black and white dog I used to race at Perry Vale.He had been disqualified at Catford but was one of them that was very genuine behind a ball hare.He won plenty of races at Perry Vale and in the end they couldnt grade him.
I'l try and contact the poster and see if I can meet him.