A cargo cult pervades greyhound racing

It all started in the late 1980s when SKY pictures of live racing arrived on the scene. It mattered little where you were, the pictures popped up all over the country — incidentally making regional and state boundaries meaningless to viewers.

That followed almost three decades of expanding betting opportunities as TABs boosted their product range and went to where the punters were. Pubs, social clubs and suburban TAB outlets came to the fore, racecourse crowds declined and with them bookmaker numbers.

Raceclubs which once spruiked to the local community and welcomed patrons to the track no longer had to bother, and many did not. Instead they got by with regular cheques from a distant TAB via their state authority. All this happened regardless of the quality of the racing they offered because, particularly from 2000 onwards, mug gamblers rapidly increased their influence. To them, only quantity mattered, not quality. Tabcorp, which controlled racing programs, wasn't fussed either and proceeded to stuff as many events into every hour as they could, including from overseas.

All of which made raceclubs less relevant to the success of the industry sectors. Four legged poker machines were now everybody's best friend. And the money rolled in — well, in smaller bits but it still flowed. You just had to sit back and count it. Ships laden with goodies were bearing down on every nook and cranny of the racing industry so all you had to do was to keep a neat house and goods would arrive. No charge and little effort — a classic Pacific Islands cargo cult was born, albeit one that actually worked.

With goods coming freely, it was no longer necessary for island communities to sow their crops nor for to raceclubs to cater for major maintenance or future capital investment — big brother would . Consequently, food soon became scarce and racetrack facilities became decrepit (something emphasised by more than one state , but particularly in NSW).

That made life difficult at times but it turned out that the bigger influence on prosperity was the disappearance of any sort of relationship between the customer and raceclub. Mind you, that was not a new trend. Back in the 1940s, show the chairman of the NSW Control Board (Norm Smith) had exhorted clubs to do more to promote their wares to the wider community, despite the fact they really lacked the resources to do the job. In any case, asking a string of local clubs to market the industry would have involved an inefficient use of funds. Not only did they lack the expertise but their customers now came from far and wide and were impossible to reach.

The more current trend of declining attendances (bar the occasional ) enforced a continuation of that scene. But while all this was going on, state authorities which controlled the cash failed to take up the slack.

At the same time, the removal of the interaction between local communities and greyhound racing meant a decline in knowledge. Members of the public had little idea of what made the greyhound tick or of how best to handle a bet on a race. Hence the current emergence of the mug gambler, often a refugee from the poker machines.

Fundamentally, this is why racing has been losing its share of the gambling market — from 50% some 30 years ago to around 10% now. People still patronise social clubs and pubs but their interest in is spasmodic and driven only by tipsters and lucky numbers. Press a few buttons and out comes a ticket.

Equally, the long term fall in knowledge about the industry leaves the way open for special interest groups to campaign by making up their own stories and, for example, calling for a stop to all greyhound racing — and , too, in many cases. Their messages fall on a public which often has no particular interest in racing or wagering, save only for an occasional flutter as they pass through betting houses or notice an app on their I-Pad (note how Tabcorp TV advertising goes down that route now).

No wonder temporary CEO of Greyhound , Paul Newson, has claimed the industry's financial structure is flawed to the point of non-viability. Of course, the previous board said the same thing, too. But neither has offered a meaningful solution, except for appeals to the government to correct some past errors and reduce taxation.

That would be nice but they are once-off changes and still ignore the basic issues — greyhound racing income is too small and not growing in real terms, and no-one is doing much about it.

The troops are starting to become aware of this. Perusing a blog recently, I noticed some words of wisdom from a trainer/breeder. Comments on these blogs are often self-serving and negative but this was an exception. Here's a verbatim copy of what “Elsie” said:

To that I can add another example. Back in those days Uncle Ben's used to run a specially built bus and conduct a roadshow around suburban shopping centres. Aimed at selling more dog food, the display half a dozen breeds, including some pups and usually a greyhound mum. The crowds loved it, especially those with kids. Unfortunately, Uncle Ben cut it out due to budget constraints and the like has not been seen since.

Similarly, in much the same period Queensland ran a Flying Amy Greyhound brand bus around the state to highlight the sport. Nothing much has happened since.

Anyway, that Martin Place venue is a winner. As a personal note I can tell you my daughter's primary school band performed there once, attracting great interest and support. Many bigger gigs have worked as well.

The message is plain. Revenue is the big problem but to improve takings you have to go out and tell the public why you exist and how to take part. Sitting back and maintaining the status quo does not work. You either advance or you go backwards. Greyhound administrations have long failed to accept responsibility, preferring instead to just keep neat books and make impossible in their five-year plans. In effect, they are sitting on the beach waiting for the ships to appear over the horizon.

I dare say with worthwhile changes and some effort the greyhound sector stands to increase income by 25% to 50%, thereby making a massive difference to its long term viability — to say nothing about returns to participants. Better marketing is an obvious course to follow, as is more professional public relations efforts. But the clincher would be nationalising the tote pools, thereby making greyhound meetings acceptable propositions for bigger punters. It would even increase tax income for state governments. Win-win-win.

PS: Years ago, I had considerable personal experience with cargo cults in New Guinea. They arose following WW2 after naive island villagers had noted how ship after ship used to arrive from far way to disgorge tons and tons of equipment, food and other supplies for the fighting troops. It ended up a debilitating experience for them. Now history is repeating itself.

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Dezzey
Dezzey
8 years ago

I don’t think now would be the right time to be showcasing racing and gambling in Martin Place. I’m guessing you’d get lynched.

burra man
burra man
8 years ago

Dezzey I dont think it would be a good time down here either especially if you tried to showcase any of wheeler ,bate,or hunt dogs there would no doubt be lynchings .

John Tracey
John Tracey
8 years ago

Bruce, I have only listened to the current acting CEO of GRNSW who represents the Board as well and I got the impression that he was reflecting that greyhound racing apart from GRNSW did not have a collective voice (my words). When you read the patient which forms the delegations involved with the Special Commission of the Executive Council under the inquiry act it is noted that A B C are all involved with the breeding and training of greyhounds and whether regulations and controls can be introduced at a cost which will allow greyhound racing to be sustainable and… Read more »

Dezzey
Dezzey
8 years ago

John Tracey Newell set-up racing or at least was involved heavily over ten years ago. . From 2004 SMH article “Newell says protesters have the wrong picture. Retired racing dogs exported to those countries get a longer life expectancy and often better care than in Australia, with strict controls on their welfare, he says. “In Vietnam, we have a lovely compound close to the coast which has the afternoon sea breeze and dams for swimming and they are well looked after,” he says.  Oh really ? These dogs a have a miserable outlook, especially in Vietnam. The “Leading” over-breeder you speak… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
8 years ago

Dezzey John Tracey I would need to look at the Vietnam stats but if the dogs are graded to all be competitive in races and they race for a long time then their life expectancy would possibly higher than Australia. Ironically we are not very flash ourselves on the stated 442 criteria.  Just on the legislation on trade, we have been trading greyhounds with China for nearly 100 years, the first greyhounds we sent were before 1920 when the ex pats set up mechanical hare racing on the mainland. Racing stopped and then started up again and was banned in the… Read more »

Steven008Steven
Steven008Steven
8 years ago

GreyhoundRacing stop live baiting and denying what is going on

whatzmatteryou
whatzmatteryou
8 years ago

GreyhoundRacing National BETTING POOLS > $ Bigger Pools Bigger Punters/Interest Hence >$ to Promote Industry >Mugg Punters Mugg Industry

Dezzey
Dezzey
8 years ago

John Tracey Dezzey 

I really don’t think we can sit behind stats and await the growing middle class prosperity of our neighbours to ensure future welfare. When you have Dr Choi U Fai,
head of the Macau government’s animal-control department, saying “the plight of greyhounds is “terrible”
and every dog imported from Australia was dead within three years; you know it is not good. See no evil, is not really good enough.

John Tracey
John Tracey
8 years ago

Dezzey John Tracey Thats you opinion but I beg to disagree.

With regard to your serious allegation of criminality against the leading breeder, your quote
“The “Leading” owner-breeder you speak of exports despite it being a violation of animal welfare legislation in Australia. 
I will use your quote in a submission to the special inquiry could you let me know what section of the Federal or State Law  is he breeching.
Are you prepared to appear before the special inquiry with your allegation.?.

Dezzey
Dezzey
8 years ago

John Tracey Dezzey All lifted from the 2014 NSW Parliamentary Inquiry (with a dash of emotion mind you). “A matter for the Federal Govt was the recommendation”.

John Tracey
John Tracey
8 years ago

Dezzey John Tracey Thanks I got the generic quotes off your activity statement, The law society makes your point and the inquiry states this is a matter for the Federal Government. This is a fact rather than a recommendation (my point as well.) I researched the matter of exports of greyhounds with the Federal department years ago when I objected to an article in the Financial Review on the subject. The reporter claimed that she had got her information from an animal rights group and that the stats came from the Federal departments records. I rang the Federal Department under the… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
8 years ago

Sorry I am a bit slow on editing my posts, this is my further clarification to Deasy. The dash of emotion is welcome the upshot of this conversation is that GA and the control boards are limited in what effect they have and in  in regard to the export of animals. In fact they are either a small agency or in the case of GA a small company. There appear better ways of influencing animal rights in Asia than by protesting with a clayton’s ban which is designed to appease the animal rights groups and little else. I hope that… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
8 years ago

Dezzey John Tracey The dash of emotion is welcome the upshot of this conversation is that GA and the control boards are limited in what effect they have and in  in regard to the export of animals. In fact they are either a small agency or in the case of GA a small company. There appear better ways of influencing animal rights in Asia than by protesting with a clayton’s ban which is designed to appease the animal rights groups and little else. I hope that submissions to the current special enquiry will deal with this aspect my take is that… Read more »

Dezzey
Dezzey
8 years ago

John Tracey Thanks John. I enjoy the banter and I have learned a thing or two. Whilst we may disagree we both love the Hound.

John Tracey
John Tracey
8 years ago

Dezzey John Tracey Absolutely, same here, thanks for the kind thoughts.

Dezzey
Dezzey
8 years ago

I don’t think now would be the right time to be showcasing racing and gambling in Martin Place. I’m guessing you’d get lynched.

burra man
burra man
8 years ago

Dezzey I dont think it would be a good time down here either especially if you tried to showcase any of wheeler ,bate,or hunt dogs there would no doubt be lynchings .

John Tracey
John Tracey
8 years ago

Bruce, I have only listened to the current acting CEO of GRNSW who represents the Board as well and I got the impression that he was reflecting that greyhound racing apart from GRNSW did not have a collective voice (my words). When you read the patient which forms the delegations involved with the Special Commission of the Executive Council under the inquiry act it is noted that A B C are all involved with the breeding and training of greyhounds and whether regulations and controls can be introduced at a cost which will allow greyhound racing to be sustainable and… Read more »

Dezzey
Dezzey
8 years ago

John Tracey Newell set-up racing or at least was involved heavily over ten years ago. . From 2004 SMH article “Newell says protesters have the wrong picture. Retired racing dogs exported to those countries get a longer life expectancy and often better care than in Australia, with strict controls on their welfare, he says. “In Vietnam, we have a lovely compound close to the coast which has the afternoon sea breeze and dams for swimming and they are well looked after,” he says.  Oh really ? These dogs a have a miserable outlook, especially in Vietnam. The “Leading” over-breeder you speak… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
8 years ago

Dezzey John Tracey I would need to look at the Vietnam stats but if the dogs are graded to all be competitive in races and they race for a long time then their life expectancy would possibly higher than Australia. Ironically we are not very flash ourselves on the stated 442 criteria.  Just on the legislation on trade, we have been trading greyhounds with China for nearly 100 years, the first greyhounds we sent were before 1920 when the ex pats set up mechanical hare racing on the mainland. Racing stopped and then started up again and was banned in the… Read more »

Steven008Steven
Steven008Steven
8 years ago

GreyhoundRacing stop live baiting and denying what is going on

whatzmatteryou
whatzmatteryou
8 years ago

GreyhoundRacing National BETTING POOLS > $ Bigger Pools Bigger Punters/Interest Hence >$ to Promote Industry >Mugg Punters Mugg Industry

Dezzey
Dezzey
8 years ago

John Tracey Dezzey 

I really don’t think we can sit behind stats and await the growing middle class prosperity of our neighbours to ensure future welfare. When you have Dr Choi U Fai,head of the Macau government’s animal-control department, saying “the plight of greyhounds is “terrible”and every dog imported from Australia was dead within three years; you know it is not good. See no evil, is not really good enough.

John Tracey
John Tracey
8 years ago

Dezzey John Tracey Thats you opinion but I beg to disagree.

With regard to your serious allegation of criminality against the leading breeder, your quote

The “Leading” owner-breeder you speak of exports despite it being a violation of animal welfare legislation in Australia. 

I will use your quote in a submission to the special inquiry could you let me know what section of the Federal or State Law  is he breeching.

Are you prepared to appear before the special inquiry with your allegation.?.

Dezzey
Dezzey
8 years ago

John Tracey Dezzey All lifted from the 2014 NSW Parliamentary Inquiry (with a dash of emotion mind you). “A matter for the Federal Govt was the recommendation”.

John Tracey
John Tracey
8 years ago

Dezzey John Tracey Thanks I got the generic quotes off your activity statement, The law society makes your point and the inquiry states this is a matter for the Federal Government. This is a fact rather than a recommendation (my point as well.) I researched the matter of exports of greyhounds with the Federal department years ago when I objected to an article in the Financial Review on the subject. The reporter claimed that she had got her information from an animal rights group and that the stats came from the Federal departments records. I rang the Federal Department under the… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
8 years ago

Sorry I am a bit slow on editing my posts, this is my further clarification to Deasy. The dash of emotion is welcome the upshot of this conversation is that GA and the control boards are limited in what effect they have and in  in regard to the export of animals. In fact they are either a small agency or in the case of GA a small company. There appear better ways of influencing animal rights in Asia than by protesting with a clayton’s ban which is designed to appease the animal rights groups and little else. I hope that… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
8 years ago

Dezzey John Tracey The dash of emotion is welcome the upshot of this conversation is that GA and the control boards are limited in what effect they have and in  in regard to the export of animals. In fact they are either a small agency or in the case of GA a small company. There appear better ways of influencing animal rights in Asia than by protesting with a clayton’s ban which is designed to appease the animal rights groups and little else. I hope that submissions to the current special enquiry will deal with this aspect my take is that… Read more »

Dezzey
Dezzey
8 years ago

John Tracey Thanks John. I enjoy the banter and I have learned a thing or two. Whilst we may disagree we both love the Hound.

John Tracey
John Tracey
8 years ago

Dezzey John Tracey Absolutely, same here, thanks for the kind thoughts.