By Mick Cowley
Little did Pop Northfield realise that when he took the family to Carrington Park in Casino on March 18, 1936, it would be the first step in what would be a journey for not only himself, but generations of his family to follow.

It was the first time greyhound racing was held in Casino, and while Pop couldn’t take the family inside the venue as under 18s were not permitted, he would be bitten by the bug.

Ninety years later, as the Casino club this week celebrates a milestone anniversary, the name Northfield is synonymous with greyhound racing in NSW particularly in the Northern Rivers.

“My grandfather didn’t have greyhounds in those days, they had hound dogs which they had to catch the kangaroos and other wild animals on the farm,” Pop’s grandson Mitch Northfield who has been President of the club from more than two decades, and spent the best part of 50 years in the sport, explained.

“After that first meeting Pop became hooked, and would you believe within four years, he would train the winner of the Casino Cup with a dog called Bonall’s Return who, that same week, won the Ballina Cup.”

Pop Northfield is considered instrumental in getting the sport established on the Northern Rivers. He died aged 73 in 1973 and that year the Casino Club commenced the Pop Northfield Maiden, an event run in his memory. The race is run annually and has continued to grow in stature, now considered one of the prestigious events in the region, and highly sought After by local trainers.

“I can’t win a Casino Cup and I’m the only Northfield who hasn’t won a Pop Northfield Maiden. That’s a bit sad. I’ve tried a few times,” said Mitch.

Mitch’s father Billy was born a month After that first meeting in 1936. Billy trained the champion sprinter PRETTY SHORT who started 88 times for an amazing 58 wins and 16 placings and who set 15 track records during his illustrious career. Billy passed away in 2023.

His sons Mitch and Charlie, and now their offspring, have successfully continued the Northfield legacy in the sport.

“There are a lot of us Northfields around the industry, but it really is a strong area for greyhound racing,” Mitch said. “You don’t get to celebrate 90 years if you’re not doing something right and our club gets great support from the local trainers.”

To replay that support for their 90th anniversary race meeting, the Casino club increased prizemoney for every race by $2,000.

But it wasn’t always the case that everyone in the region was supportive of greyhound racing. Back in 1935, Casino Council town clerk Mr Every-Burns opposed the introduction of greyhound racing to Casino.

Half an hour up the road, Lismore had commenced greyhound racing and Mr Every-Burns claimed: “The poorer sections of Lismore are spending their money on betting instead of the purchase of necessities and payment of commitments”.

Hence his objections and his call for a public meeting to discuss the greyhound racing move.

Council ignored Mr Every-Burns, there was no public meeting held and racing was introduced to Casino.

The mechanical lure was introduced to Casino in 1938, track lightning installed in 1978, in 2015 the grass track was dug up and replaced by loam – a $750,000-plus upgrade – and then new lights were installed in 2022.

“Probably the most satisfaction in my 20-odd years as President at the Club, was putting the sand track down,” Mitch said. “We sort of did 90% of that ourselves with our own money.

“We’ve had some very good secretaries throughout the time here at the club. We’ve been very lucky having the likes of Don Waldron – a club stalwart who kept us going through the hard times – Bruce Knight, who was a real miser with the money and through him we had enough money to do the sand track, Ronnie Herd – who steered us through the sand track renovation, and the new lighting – and now we have Donna Pezet is doing a great job.”

Greyhound Racing NSW Chief Executive Officer Steve Griffin will be attending the 90th anniversary meeting on Friday and congratulated the club on the achievement.

“It will be a wonderful occasion for the Casino Club on Friday and I encourage locals to come along and join in the celebrations,” Mr Griffin said.

“Throughout the years the Casino Club’s committee and staff have always worked tirelessly to ensure their club, the track and their weekly race meetings are a success, and also to support the local participants in the region which is a real heartland for our sport.

“On behalf of greyhound racing in NSW and my organisation, I congratulate Mitch, Donna and all the committee and staff at Casino on reaching this milestone and I can’t wait to celebrate with them on Friday.”