Initial Finish On Trials Hailed A Success
Bathurst had its first taste of the NZ style finish-ons in trials prior to the first race at the May 7 TAB meeting and the feedback from witnesses was very positive.
There were three trials staged, one over 307m and one over 450m and as expected there were no incidents.
Stewards and club officials along with the club vet were positioned at the finish-on point and were impressed with the lack of interference when the dogs pulled up on the lure.
Those who had dogs engaged in the trials commented positively on what they saw and gave the impression that they would have no hesitation in trialling dogs under the NZ format in future. One trainer even commented that after viewing it live she was now a convert in favour of the system as she had never seen happier dogs at the end of a trial.
Club Secretary Greg Hore said “I am pleased with the feedback I received after our first trial session. In all honesty it was only a small sample today, however the favourable comments passed on by those in attendance comes as no surprise.”
He added “some people have expressed reservations about the NZ system and that's quite understandable. Initially I did too, but after having travelled to New Zealand and witnessing it first hand I had no concerns with the Bathurst club being involved in the trial period”.
The club will continue to stage two X four dog trials over each distance under the NZ finish-on format only directly after kennelling at all TAB and non-tab meetings until the three month trial period ends on August 1. Australian Racing Greyhound.com is endeavouring to provide all our readers with video footage of each of these forthcoming trials.
Normal trialling (into the catching pen) will be staged after the meetings. Trainers are also reminded that kennelling for all TAB twilight meetings will now be 2.25pm to 3.10pm, a slightly earlier closing time than previously so as to accommodate the trials.
Owners and Trainers with maiden and non-TAB fifth grade short-coursers are advised that qualifying trials will be held under the NZ finish-on format over 307 metres on the morning of Sunday May 25th commencing at 10am. Kennelling for the qualifying trials will be between 9 and 9.30am and nominations will close at 9am on Thursday May 22.
Take note that the finals of these events will be run at the TAB meeting on June 4 under a normal catching pen finish.