Coonamble's greyhound racing club says it will have more nominations than usual for what could be its last ever annual Gold Cup Carnival, starting today.

Close to 250 dogs will take part in races across four days beginning from 2pm, with a total prize pool of over $55,000.

Despite confirming in May that the Coonamble track would be closed as part of a statewide 'restructure', peak body Greyhound Racing NSW quickly confirmed that they would support the 2024 October Long Weekend carnival.

Organisers are hoping for a good turnout for the event from residents as well as visitors to the region to celebrate and support what has become one of the district's landmark events.

The carnival is expecting a strong showing of greyhound trainers and owners from Rockhampton in central Queensland to the bottom of Victoria, some of whom have been attending the event for decades. 

"Friday night mostly will see the big action," club president Graham Pickering said.

"It's a pretty good thing to come and watch. And for a lot of people that have never done it, they might not get another chance in Coonamble." 

Mr Pickering mowing the track ahead of the races. PHOTO: The Coonamble Times/ River McCrossen

There will be 22 races this Friday, ten from 2pm and, after a break in the program, 12 more starting from 7.30pm.

Local business leaders are encouraging people to make a show of support for this year's carnival, which they say drives a lot of money into the local economy.

"I'm not a regular race-goer, but it's a great opportunity to get out and experience something different," Coonamble Bowling Club chair Steve Butler said.

"For people that don't go support it, I recommend that they do because the onflow effect gives their children and their grandchildren the opportunity for a job in the community."

"It affects every little business in town," Swanny's Foods owner Shane Swansborough said.

"They (trainers and supporters) do spend a lot of money in town. They get accommodation, they eat, get fuel."

Future in the balance

Coonamble-bred photographer Jason McKeown grew up on greyhound racing.

He lived on property right next to the local track and has travelled from his current home in Melbourne almost every year since 2008 to shoot the annual October Carnival.

He hopes it will continue, but his gut feeling is that this year will be its last.

A photo Mr McKoewn took of Coonamble trainer Aiden Lee at the track in 2022. PHOTO: Jason McKeown Photography

"With what's going on within NSW and Victoria, it was inevitable that rural tracks, especially non-TAB tracks, would eventually close," he said.

GRNSW is set to meet local committee in the weeks after the October Carnival to discuss the club's future with club representatives trying to stay positive.

Mr Pickering hopes a strong turnout will make GRNSW think twice about closure.

"You'll see the amount of people that are going to turn up here this weekend, how much money the town's going to lose," Mr Pickering said.

Acting Greyhound Racing NSW CEO Wayne Billett said he will attend the races this long weekend.

“Like everyone I am looking forward to another tremendous weekend of racing action and events both on and off the track," Mr Billet said.

“The club always does a tremendous job and a lot of hard work goes into the weekend.

"Nominations for the race meetings have been very strong, and I’m sure - as the case is every year - there will be some competitive and exciting racing across the long weekend.”