Six Decades On, Dapto's Silver Collar Going Strong

Last Thursday night Col Pomeroy made his regular trip from Towradgi, north of Wollongong to the Dapto greyhound track.

It’s just a 15 minute journey down highway which Col has made literally countless times over the past 66 years. But, unbeknown to him, by night’s end, this one would become one of the best nights of his life.

“I have been going since I was five years old to the dogs, and I haven't missed a great deal of meetings at Dapto,” he explained. “But this … this was the best night I’ve ever had, and I didn’t even know what was going to happen.”

Col’s parents Betty and Max were professional trainers based in the region for more than 40 years. They took their youngster to his first meeting and he was also at Dapto in 1963 for the first ever running of the Silver Collar, an event his father started.

“Back in those days dad was pretty big with the dogs, and he just wanted to put something back in, so this race came about,” Col said. 

“I remember that first night like it was yesterday although it was 60 odd years ago. I was 10 at the time and the place was packed. The race went over three weeks with heats and semi-finals and then the final and even a consolation. There was a pipe band there, there were marching girls, and girls from the local high school were there holding placards with the dogs’ names on them. It was just magic.

“I was brought up in the ‘60s and ‘70s and ‘80s when there used to be 2,000 or 3,000 people at the dogs and I trained professionally with my dad for 12 years after I left school.

“There was always so much excitement on track and you used to go to Harold Park and it would take you two races to go the toilet and come back because of all the people.

“Things have changed now and you don’t get the people to the track like you used to but I’m so proud for mum and dad that this race continues on.”

The race gained great exposure just five years after its birth when a greyhound considered by many as the best we have ever seen, Zoom Top, took out the Silver Collar.

“Some good dogs chased the race. Obviously you didn’t have your $100,000 races back then either, but while it wasn’t considered one of the big races, it was considered worth winning because Zoom Top had won it and that helped make it pretty popular. 

“And this year’s field was excellent. It was as good as you get in a top grade race at Wenty Park, and it’s a tribute to dad and mum that their race continues to attract good dogs.”

When the proposed banning of the sport hit in 2016, the Silver Collar temporarily fell off the racing calendar.

“We probably missed two or three years and then Tony Mestrov (former GRNSW CEO) had a day at Dapto and people were invited along to speak with him about any concerns or what you'd like to see happen in the sport. 

“I had an appointment with him and I just asked him if he could try to get that race put back on. He did, and it's been going ever since.

“I am just chuffed because you get those big races and they chop and change and get new sponsors and change names, but this is and always has been just the Silver Collar right through.” 

But back to the best night of his life.

Col headed to Dapto for his usual night at the dogs, a little more special because it was his family’s race. What happened though was he was invited onto the track post-race for the presentation ceremony to the winner, the Jodie Lord trained Omega Travis.

“I went to the dogs not knowing that I would end up on the track, and they then gave me the trophy to present. I said no, I can't do that, I’m just happy to be here on track,” Col recalled.

“But the chap from Ladbrokes insisted. I said to him no, this is your race you’re the ones who put the money up. He gave it back to me and said: “no it’s your race and I want you to do it”.

“It was unbelievable. The best night of my life, and my daughter Tahleea and grandson Lucas were both there as well and that was a real buzz.

“Like I said, I remember that first Silver Collar like it was yesterday, but this one, this is one I will never forget.”