Is Tier 3 Racing Good For the Industry?

The future of Tier 3 racing in Victoria must surely be under the spotlight, with many rank and file participants questioning the concept, declaring that the current system promotes mediocrity.

A growing number of Owners and Trainers are concerned with the non-grading of these meetings and the random way the competing greyhounds are selected. Although fields are compiled around how much prizemoney the greyhound has won, it's the greyhounds that are being drawn “randomly” that have participants questioning the grading. The current system doesn't guarantee that the best performed greyhounds are receiving a start. Whilst the betting turnover on these meetings appear satisfactory, many believe a change is required to grade the greyhounds as per normal, thus assuring the better performed greyhounds are starting in Tier 3 meetings.

The entire racing product in Victoria, including all Tier 3 racing, is now covered on . So clearly it makes sense to put our best greyhounds on display at any one time to drive betting turnover.

It seems Greyhound are to continue these meetings in their current format, and why not, there are plenty of nominations. No grading, other than splitting maiden and grade 5 greyhounds by prizemoney earnt is required, and the programs only race for half the full stake money of the normal Victorian provincial meetings.

Without grading the fairness of the racing must surely be called into question though.  Many times have we have witnessed maiden greyhounds drawn as reserves at Tier 3 meetings despite qualifying wins and performing well in maiden finals without placing.

As well as the obvious lack of class in Tier 3 programs, there is the dilemma at the other end of the scale, when a better performed greyhound drops so far in grade it's almost farcical.  A recent example of this saw Vicky Pollard, a multiple city winner in Melbourne, competing against a second rate field at a Tier 3 program recently.  Not only did she stifle the betting as a fives on favourite, she won by 13 lengths and ran 28.12 for the 500 metre journey, a time which would win most full stake programs at Lords Raceway.

It is in no way against the for the trainer of Vicky Pollard to take advantage of the Tier 3 system, but the question must be asked, is this good for the future of greyhound racing, and  does it promote fairness and an equal playing field for all participants.

Does the Tier 3 structure maximise returns to participants as is the GRV mantra, or is it simply a matter of time management and ease to compose the fields in this manner.  The splitting of the Normal and Tier 3 programs is quite a divide, in fact it almost harks back to the days when the major provincial tracks such as and raced for much more stake money than the smaller provincial clubs such as and Wangaratta used to, before stakes equalisation was introduced in 2000.

While GRV is content with the status quo of random selection of fields for Tier 3 racing, the long term effect on Greyhound Racing in Victoria might have implications that are not being considered or intended.

Some consequences may include the loss of some long term participants, the disenfranchisement of others and a de-valuation in pups and breeding stock.

It seems we are perhaps going backwards, under the guise of moving forward.  Food for thought, I am sure you would agree.

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DaveHermon
DaveHermon
10 years ago

I love the T3 system as it is out of 3 noms all 3 have been fairly even fields great races only complaints ive heard from a handful of trainers has been they always seem to chatch the 12th race of the day i guess you can’t make 100% of the people happy 100% of the time.

Mark Stratton
Mark Stratton
10 years ago

I believe we do need tier 3 racing, great for dogs who have lost confidence. Also these meetings are not dominated by the same trainers as full prize money meetings are

Greyhound Bazaar
Greyhound Bazaar
10 years ago

I think you have this wrong. Tier 3 racing is needed by the industry as a whole. Victorian Greyhound racing is BOOMING not just turnover but participation levels are rising and if those new owners don’t get to see their Greyhound race because there’s not enough races then I believe that is more harmful to the sport.

Ab Greyhound Tips Victoria
Ab Greyhound Tips Victoria
10 years ago

I wasn’t to sure about tier3 when it started but have become a fan….if tier3 wasn’t about 70 percent of these dogs wouldent be here today….my only objection is the time standard

Nathan Jon Goodridge
Nathan Jon Goodridge
10 years ago

Yes. I personally think we need more racing as at the moment in NSW the average dogs find it very hard to get a race. We need more races

Dave Hermon
Dave Hermon
10 years ago

I love the T3 system as it is out of 3 noms all 3 have been fairly even fields great races only complaints ive heard from a handful of trainers has been they always seem to chatch the 12th race of the day i guess you can’t make 100% of the people happy 100% of the time.

FrankieMeyer
FrankieMeyer
10 years ago

3 Tier  greyhound racing   is a great idea   but   there should b a time  set   for no return to  3tier racing    example   cut off time  is below 22.50   but if  greyhound breaks 22.20 or  22.25   no return to 3 tier greyhound racing,  i think  if a greyhound is capable of running under that time  its to good for 3tier

FrankieMeyer
FrankieMeyer
10 years ago

Greyhound racing  in Victoria  are heading in  right direction  3 Tier Racing  gives all trainers the  opportunity to  win and place  and enjoy  greyhound  racing   well done GRV

DaveHermon
DaveHermon
10 years ago

I love the T3 system as it is out of 3 noms all 3 have been fairly even fields great races only complaints ive heard from a handful of trainers has been they always seem to chatch the 12th race of the day i guess you can’t make 100% of the people happy 100% of the time.

Mark Stratton
Mark Stratton
10 years ago

I believe we do need tier 3 racing, great for dogs who have lost confidence. Also these meetings are not dominated by the same trainers as full prize money meetings are

Davey Sadler
Davey Sadler
10 years ago

I think you have this wrong. Tier 3 racing is needed by the industry as a whole. Victorian Greyhound racing is BOOMING not just turnover but participation levels are rising and if those new owners don’t get to see their Greyhound race because there’s not enough races then I believe that is more harmful to the sport.

Ab Greyhound Tips Victoria
Ab Greyhound Tips Victoria
10 years ago

I wasn’t to sure about tier3 when it started but have become a fan….if tier3 wasn’t about 70 percent of these dogs wouldent be here today….my only objection is the time standard

Nathan Jon Goodridge
Nathan Jon Goodridge
10 years ago

Yes. I personally think we need more racing as at the moment in NSW the average dogs find it very hard to get a race. We need more races

Hermon David
Hermon David
10 years ago

I love the T3 system as it is out of 3 noms all 3 have been fairly even fields great races only complaints ive heard from a handful of trainers has been they always seem to chatch the 12th race of the day i guess you can’t make 100% of the people happy 100% of the time.

FrankieMeyer
FrankieMeyer
10 years ago

3 Tier  greyhound racing   is a great idea   but   there should b a time  set   for no return to  3tier racing    example   cut off time  is below 22.50   but if  greyhound breaks 22.20 or  22.25   no return to 3 tier greyhound racing,  i think  if a greyhound is capable of running under that time  its to good for 3tier

FrankieMeyer
FrankieMeyer
10 years ago

Greyhound racing  in Victoria  are heading in  right direction  3 Tier Racing  gives all trainers the  opportunity to  win and place  and enjoy  greyhound  racing   well done GRV

Kurt
Kurt
2 years ago

Tier 3 meetings are only for backyard / hobby trainers that race rubbish. There dogs are non – chasers that shouldn’t even be allowed to be nominated by the GRV