Greyhound Racing New South Wales engaged the services of Kelly Covey, an engineering company based in Tamworth, to conduct a thorough review of the design of the greyhound starting boxes used in racing locations throughout the State.
Having also been involved in horse racing track design, Kelly Covey were aware of Steriline Racing’s highly effective starting gate mechanism.
One challenge facing the greyhound industry was the OH&S issues surrounding the operation of the front door, especially the method of its closure. Steriline Racing was consequently asked if the starting method tried and tested over many years for horse racing starting gates, could be adapted to greyhound starting boxes.
Steriline Racing agreed to participate in this research and development project and was commissioned to build two prototype models. The first to be activated hydraulically and the second using pneumatics.
After considerable testing at the Gosford Greyhound Race track, the hydraulically activated option was returned to Steriline Racing and converted to pneumatics.
Further refinements were undertaken and the first four of 20 boxes were commissioned in 2002.
Over subsequent years, 47 boxes have been installed in New South Wales and all TAB meetings in the State are now started from the Steriline Racing equipment.
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