A specially chartered flight carrying 80 greyhounds from New Zealand’s renowned Goldstar Racing kennel touched down in Queensland on Wednesday night. The move, orchestrated by Steve Evans and his son Riley, had been in the works for months, prompted by the impending closure of greyhound racing in New Zealand. Goldstar Racing, a top training team based in Leeston, Canterbury, on the South Island, wasted no time in making the relocation to Australia.
The Evans family, led by the dedicated efforts of Steve, swiftly secured a 12-month lease on Churchable’s Federal Racing property to establish their training operations in Australia. The decision to shift the entire Goldstar Racing operation across the Tasman was met with numerous logistical challenges, but the family remained resolute in their commitment to continuing their passion for greyhound racing in their new Australian setting.
Riley Evans expressed optimism about the transition, acknowledging that the move had been more complex than anticipated. Despite encountering delays during customs clearance and transportation hiccups upon arrival, the Evans family was eager to get their dogs settled in their new surroundings. With all dogs owned by Goldstar Racing, the team was poised to resume training and potentially start racing within a few weeks, pending regulatory approvals from the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission.
Reflecting on the situation in New Zealand, Riley highlighted the significant impact of the ban on greyhound racing, emphasizing the missed opportunities for the sport’s growth and development in his home country. The decision to relocate to Australia was a strategic one, driven by a desire to continue pursuing their greyhound racing endeavors in a more conducive environment.
Having previously visited Australia for racing events and witnessing the thriving greyhound industry, the Evans family was convinced that Australia offered a more promising future for their passion. The move to Australia was not just a practical necessity but a strategic decision to secure the longevity of Goldstar Racing in a more supportive regulatory landscape.
As the family settled into their new base in Churchable, they were met with the arduous task of acclimating to a new environment while ensuring the well-being of their greyhounds. With a brand-new greyhound facility at their disposal, the Evans family was eager to resume their training activities and integrate into the Australian greyhound racing community.
With the support of the Australian greyhound racing authorities and the resilience of the Goldstar Racing team, the transition to Australia marked a new chapter for the renowned New Zealand kennel. Riley Evans remained hopeful that their relocation would inspire others to explore opportunities beyond their borders and underscore the importance of a supportive regulatory framework for sustaining the greyhound racing industry.
As the greyhounds settled into their new home in Australia, the Evans family looked ahead to a future filled with training, racing, and the shared love for greyhound racing that had brought them together. The journey from New Zealand to Australia symbolized not just a physical relocation but a testament to the enduring spirit of determination and passion that defined the Goldstar Racing team.
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