The battle between emotions and facts

OUTSIDE of the live baiting saga, the biggest greyhound debate in recent years has been the rise and fall of the finish-on- in Australia. Given that it also has ramifications on greyhound welfare it should not be forgotten.

Consider the FOL history.

1. Two decades of successful use in New Zealand where TAB racing commenced in 1978.

2. Year-long trials at in Queensland and in SA in 2009.

3. Both trials showed improvements in failing to chase suspensions and in injury rates.

4. Following complaint from some trainers, the FOL was abandoned at both those tracks but does continue at Gawler and in SA – an each-way bet but an illogical one.

5. A brief trial ran at (and even briefer at Dapto) in NSW during this period but no official report has ever been seen, although anecdotal claims suggest the trials were successful.

6. Confidential statements to me from two Victorian club managers claim the use of FOL was not an acceptable subject for discussion at GRV headquarters. No trials were conducted there, nor in WA or Tasmania so far as we know.

7. Several examples are claimed of error-prone Australian dogs moving across the Tasman and leading a successful career under the FOL (this requires validation)

First, a note on what it is. The more common FOL design involves a looped arm which dangles the lure higher and further away from the rail than normal lure arms. These were/are used in Australia. Some NZ tracks have a different structure whereby the lure is stubby and closely attached to the cable, although at a height above that of a conventional lure arm. In either case the voluminous bunny – sometimes of sheepskin – comes to a stop around the middle of the back straight and dogs then mill around it.

The FOL option actually poses two questions: (a) what is its effect on dogs in-running, and (b) what are the pros and cons of allowing dogs to finish on a stationary lure, as opposed to the “normal” system of diverting them into a pen of deep sand with the lure disappearing into the distance.

To put that in perspective, here is a summary of the Queensland results, as written by leading trainer Robert Britton (on Greyhound Form), one of many who could not understand why the FOL was not approved..

“In 2008, with no FOL the suspension rate was 1 in 15 races

In 2009, the first year with the FOL operating, it was 1 in 36 races

In 2010, the second year with the FOL, it was a sensational 1 in 69 races

In 2011, the first year back without the FOL and it quickly digressed to 1 in 23 races

In 2012, (showed the) worst figures during the study, running at 1 in 12.5 races.”

This reflects the actual data published at the time by QGRA and the Brisbane club. Quite simply, it was a success. Much the same results were evident at Angle Park.

But why was it a success? Here, I can only offer my own interpretations as no scientific views were ever sought, and no objective analysis applied. But it is not rocket science.

First, the FOL allows the dogs to complete their mission. Chasing prey is what they are about. With the FOL they can succeed in that. With a conventional lure system, they can't. Why wouldn't they chase better with the FOL? It makes for a fun afternoon – and a repeat the following week.

Second, at least with the high and wide lure style, they can better see the lure, rather than being blocked by other dogs in the field. As a , the wide spacing appears to encourage the field to spread out laterally, much more so than in the mad rush towards the rail after a conventional start. That would help reduce interference.

Indeed, it would appear that a majority of Australian trainers thought likewise. Unfortunately, the official SA survey was a complete farce. Only one third of trainers responded to it, which immediately makes it unusable information. The authority should have started again and done it properly. Particularly considering what GRSA reported to be “the general preference for the FOL amongst the state's leading trainers” – i.e. those who provided the lion's share of starters for Angle Park races.

The objectors, especially in Queensland, were very noisy but they were also very emotional (predominantly from the now-banned , who moved to NSW to get away from it). In both states the only hard justifications they offered was that some dogs were getting scratched and paws/toes harmed. In neither case did they compare those outcomes with the risks of injury in an uncontrolled pen finish where there are records of both dogs and handlers being injured – up to the level of broken legs. The prospect of a late arriving 35kg missile hurtling into a pen where dogs are already milling around failed to register.

However, there is an even bigger point to be made. In making their final judgements, authorities provided real weight only to the of trainers, and a limited number of them to boot. There is no evidence that they tried to stand back, weigh all the options and make a decision in the best interests of the industry as a whole. They may claim that, but the facts show otherwise.

Consequently, a measurable and proven improvement to the operation of the sport was denied. At the very least, that amounts to poor management.

That blame must also be attached to all the other states which declined to treat the subject seriously, or at all.

There is related form elsewhere, too. Recently, WA authorities decided to build in to a brand new track a bend start for 600m races. That came even after they claimed they considered other options. Yet bend starts are the bane of racing everywhere, generating higher risks of injury and erratic outcomes for punters. Similarly, NSW authorities in particular, have invested millions in building or re-building tracks which repeat previous errors or create new ones. These are poor management decisions.

Indeed, if you go back, say, 50 years, is there any evidence of authorities making any sort of change to the physical conduct of greyhound racing? The only one that comes to mind is the swapping of the dirty brown rug for a green one, and even that took the best part of two years to bring about. On that basis we would all be driving a 1950 Holden.

A little while ago I suggested authorities were getting their priorities wrong and should be serving different – in this order:

1.The maintenance of the greyhound breed

2.The customers who finance the day to day industry

3.The owners who underpin its stability

4.The trainers who make it work.

The national problem is not just the FOL or crook tracks but bad management. The current kerfuffle is just one more example of that. Poor management is just the sort of shortcoming that all the high priced lawyers conducting industry reviews should be targeting. They might also add a third concern – the progressive decline in the strength of the breed – where little if anything is being addressed.

Let me offer a further clue to those investigators. The entire industry is run by committees, a philosophy which guarantees mediocrity, a lack of innovation and a barrier to change. The FOL is a classic illustration.

(We have asked the NZ Greyhound Racing Association for further technical comment but have received no reply as yet).

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TonyCooper
TonyCooper
9 years ago

Bruce, you are a very intelligent man and I applaud you. Keep up the good work my friend.

Peter Riley
Peter Riley
9 years ago

there were Trials conducted in Victoria – at Geelong that I know of.

Matt Heilbronn
Matt Heilbronn
9 years ago

problem with the finish on in Australia is they pulled it up to quick and it was stopped when the first dog reached instead of letting dog to travel with it to slow the dog down

Robyn Mackellar
Robyn Mackellar
9 years ago

Matt sounds like the lure driver needed to learn how to drive it, no issue here like that in SA

Petar Jovanovic
Petar Jovanovic
9 years ago

The run on lure gives every greyhound a reward . Whether he wins or runs last , he would feel a winner . It’s time we become proactive and change to the run on lure , not only in sa but nationally .

Trevor Whelan
Trevor Whelan
9 years ago

They only have to study how they drive this lure in NZ , they take the lure right away after the finish line so that the dogs loose sight of it and pull it up in the back straight, no big pile up of dogs , dogs r slowing down as they run on to it less injuries ?? Powers to be are not real smart to work this out tho . They stop the lure to quickly causing big pile ups no brains

Matt Heilbronn
Matt Heilbronn
9 years ago

it the racing board the problem …. I they did there job we wouldn’t having this conversation. …. a dog that had jump out weather the lure was dead or alive ,the effect only last at best a month … give all dogs a 28 days suspension and let get on with racing and the board can deal with the trainer that have done wrong ,not the animals fault

Lisa Rasmussen
Lisa Rasmussen
9 years ago

It should NEVER have been taken away from Angle Park. I can and have talked until I am blue in the face over this issue. The dogs need a ‘reward’, they love it. I’m still flabbergasted over the reasons (and the survey) that it was removed. To waist money on a fancy catching pens that has injured more of my dogs in the last 6 months than the FOL did in 5 years!!!!

Lisa Rasmussen
Lisa Rasmussen
9 years ago

And not to mention 3 FTP and 1 marring in 6 months of just my dogs, when FOL in it was 3 in total in 5 years.

Lisa Rasmussen
Lisa Rasmussen
9 years ago

And then the animal welfare issues and the ever increasing list of waiting to get into GAP…………..

Roslyn Svensen
Roslyn Svensen
9 years ago

In Queensland it was trial led by Danny Ryan the chief steward for the Greyhound Racing Authority. It was used for sometime in Brisbane with many trainers objecting. Reg Kay was probably the most vocal. When Danny Ryan died suddenly the FOL ceased being used. Robert Britton ‘ s statistics says it all. It should be considered again as there is many non chasers racing now.

Tony Cooper
Tony Cooper
9 years ago

“Reg Kay” Who’s Reg Kay? What is his claim to fame?

Michelle Matthews
Michelle Matthews
9 years ago

They do something like that in New Zealand

Deb Edlin
Deb Edlin
9 years ago

All our tracks employ the FOL, Aus dogs who have been stood down do very well here.

Darris Fahey
Darris Fahey
9 years ago

Each to there own,most who have dogs that are iffy chasing prefer the fol,my self think its crap injuries from dogs slamming into others happens all the time,no kidding yaselves it happens…I’ll stick to catching pens thanks,there plenty of ways to get ya dogs chasing,you’ve just gotta figure out what suits your dog best,why change something that doesn’t need fixing

SandraGiles
SandraGiles
9 years ago

I have to agree with Trevor Whelan’s comments re: the way the NZ FOL is used….the FOL  trial in Queensland was not a good example as the lure was pulled up right after the finish line in the bend of the track so it’s no wonder the dogs all piled into one another……I had first hand knowledge of this and was so angry that they were not conducting a proper trial and running it in the same manner as it is used and has been so sucessful in NZ.

Gatesy
Gatesy
9 years ago

Fol made the noddies run better and the keen chasers went backwards. Cosmic rumble is a perfect example. Turned a brilliant box dog into mental case. Took us 7 months to get her mind back on the job. Went to Tweed and won 1st up off her break.
We should be catering for the best not striving for mediocrities

Sandra Giles
Sandra Giles
9 years ago

I don’t think they even bothered to send our lure drivers to NZ to even look at how it is done…… in Australia they seem to have a ‘we know best attitude’ someone is welcome to prove me wrong tho!

Gatesy
Gatesy
9 years ago

Lure drivers in Qld are either hopeless or don’t give a f#@k. When I was being tested for my lure drivers license I had to certain distances I had to abide by. Of course on turns your slightly closer & slower. Obviously I’m an idiot for expecting the lure to be driven the same at trials as at race meetings. Lol. The best was a trial at Albion , a post to post with a fol. The lure driver slowed it before the line. Hope he has dogs n trains them like that too but personally I’d rather not teach… Read more »

Trevor Whelan
Trevor Whelan
9 years ago

Do I give you 3 guesses who the main instigator was in regards to this stupid idea of removing the FOL .if it is driven properly and pulled up in the back straight in all races .would be no issues .just common sense to pull it right away once past the winning post.

Gatesy
Gatesy
9 years ago

I give up. But he or she obviously had honest dogs and realised it doesn’t matter where they finish on. Dogs aren’t stupid and soon get sick of being fooled( although I have had some with memories like goldfish.lol).
Here’s an analogy for the situation.
  Do you think Olympians would keep the same enthusiasm if you told them they get a gold medal and money then gave them a chocolate medal and monopoly money?

Trevor Whelan
Trevor Whelan
9 years ago

Shame !!!!

Recluse 60
Recluse 60
9 years ago

After all that is currently happening in our industry it is time to take our blinkers off and open our minds to change to help save our wonderful sport. 1. Lets look at reducing the fields down to 6 dogs as this will help solve the congestion on the first corner and on corner starts which in turn reduces the chance of injuries and dogs falling over. I can hear people saying “oh but what about the punter” who cares about the punter he will punt wether there’s 2 dogs or 6. 2. With a 6 dog race when nominating you… Read more »

Pink Penny
Pink Penny
9 years ago

Gatesy I object to your comment about lure drivers in Qld – there are at least two lure drivers in Qld who excel in what they do.

Recluse 60
Recluse 60
9 years ago

Pink Penny Gatesy
I agree with Pink Penny.
If you don’t like the way the lure is being driven then you should politely point this out on the night rather than whinge and walk away saying nothing as that’s the way nothing improves.
Perhaps you agreed to pay a reduced rate or have a free trial as the lure driver was training , as they do this quite often.

Gatesy
Gatesy
9 years ago

I respect your opinion. I’m probably hard on myself and set my standards to high. I understand. Uncontrollable things happen. I had one no race because of a caught lure when it just stopped for a second even though I wound thedial to maximum. It kicked back in so I just kept it at full bore and got it away from them asap. Your right though, a couple I shouldn’t be too harsh on.

Gatesy
Gatesy
9 years ago

Recluse 60 Pink Penny Gatesy . Assumptions. I don’t want this to turn into me correcting your assumptions on people and occurances.  I have often gone into the drivers tower and spoke about my concerns, sometimes there was a legitimate reason.  My stomach churns when I see a dog get injured or fall.  When I drive a lure I am fully knowledgeable in knowing I can cause a dog injury.  At the end of the day its all about the dogs welfare. Injuries will always happen but I don’t sleep well if I know that I have caused or helped to put… Read more »

Pink Penny
Pink Penny
9 years ago

Gatesy  what are you talking about – you’ve lost me completely.  I was saying to you that I objected to your comment regarding lure drivers in QLD as you wrote quote Lure drivers in Qld are either hopeless or don’t give a . unquote and I wrote to you quote there are at least two lure drivers in Qld who excel in what they do unquote.  I’m not accusing you of anything.

Lisa Rasmussen
Lisa Rasmussen
9 years ago

Had another one done for FTP yesterday at Angle Park. Statistics just keep on adding up……….

SandraGiles
SandraGiles
9 years ago

Recluse 60 All good points, have been thinking along those lines for years…but you would also have to go to the OUTSIDE Lure to make it work properly, and I couldn’t see powers that be wanting to spend the money to do that…although again it is a welfare issue.

Recluse 60
Recluse 60
9 years ago

SandraGiles Recluse 60 
I agree Sandra, but to start with it would be like having two late scratchings but it would be a start, then in time change to an outside lure.
Also some more straight tracks like Capalaba and Healsville to be built

ban the drones
ban the drones
9 years ago

Last weekend in Mount Gambier, according to locals, they were bombarded with DRONE flying over their properties… piloted by Mr Paul Marks working as Chief Steward and Integrity Manager for Greyhound Racing South Australia, with Ms Belinda Pearce(the GRSA  Animal Welfare officer) as his observer.  In order to fly this drone without any CASA certification, it would have to be seen by CASA as being operated for FUN or as a HOBBY (Versus having a commercial gain). As under the Rules of Racing Mr Marks was already able to set foot on greyhound trainers’ properties already, one has to wonder… Read more »

TonyCooper
TonyCooper
9 years ago

Bruce, you are a very intelligent man and I applaud you. Keep up the good work my friend.

TonyCooper
TonyCooper
9 years ago

Bruce, you are a very intelligent man and I applaud you. Keep up the good work my friend

Peter Riley
Peter Riley
9 years ago

there were Trials conducted in Victoria – at Geelong that I know of.

Matt Heilbronn
Matt Heilbronn
9 years ago

problem with the finish on in Australia is they pulled it up to quick and it was stopped when the first dog reached instead of letting dog to travel with it to slow the dog down

Robyn Mackellar
Robyn Mackellar
9 years ago

Matt sounds like the lure driver needed to learn how to drive it, no issue here like that in SA

Petar Jovanovic
Petar Jovanovic
9 years ago

The run on lure gives every greyhound a reward . Whether he wins or runs last , he would feel a winner . It’s time we become proactive and change to the run on lure , not only in sa but nationally .

Trevor Whelan
Trevor Whelan
9 years ago

They only have to study how they drive this lure in NZ , they take the lure right away after the finish line so that the dogs loose sight of it and pull it up in the back straight, no big pile up of dogs , dogs r slowing down as they run on to it less injuries ?? Powers to be are not real smart to work this out tho . They stop the lure to quickly causing big pile ups no brains

Matt Heilbronn
Matt Heilbronn
9 years ago

it the racing board the problem …. I they did there job we wouldn’t having this conversation. …. a dog that had jump out weather the lure was dead or alive ,the effect only last at best a month … give all dogs a 28 days suspension and let get on with racing and the board can deal with the trainer that have done wrong ,not the animals fault

Lisa Rasmussen
Lisa Rasmussen
9 years ago

It should NEVER have been taken away from Angle Park. I can and have talked until I am blue in the face over this issue. The dogs need a ‘reward’, they love it. I’m still flabbergasted over the reasons (and the survey) that it was removed. To waist money on a fancy catching pens that has injured more of my dogs in the last 6 months than the FOL did in 5 years!!!!

Lisa Rasmussen
Lisa Rasmussen
9 years ago

And not to mention 3 FTP and 1 marring in 6 months of just my dogs, when FOL in it was 3 in total in 5 years.

Lisa Rasmussen
Lisa Rasmussen
9 years ago

And then the animal welfare issues and the ever increasing list of waiting to get into GAP…………..

Roslyn Svensen
Roslyn Svensen
9 years ago

In Queensland it was trial led by Danny Ryan the chief steward for the Greyhound Racing Authority. It was used for sometime in Brisbane with many trainers objecting. Reg Kay was probably the most vocal. When Danny Ryan died suddenly the FOL ceased being used. Robert Britton ‘ s statistics says it all. It should be considered again as there is many non chasers racing now.

Tony Cooper
Tony Cooper
9 years ago

“Reg Kay” Who’s Reg Kay? What is his claim to fame?

Michelle Matthews
Michelle Matthews
9 years ago

They do something like that in New Zealand

Deb Edlin
Deb Edlin
9 years ago

All our tracks employ the FOL, Aus dogs who have been stood down do very well here.

Darris Fahey
Darris Fahey
9 years ago

Each to there own,most who have dogs that are iffy chasing prefer the fol,my self think its crap injuries from dogs slamming into others happens all the time,no kidding yaselves it happens…I’ll stick to catching pens thanks,there plenty of ways to get ya dogs chasing,you’ve just gotta figure out what suits your dog best,why change something that doesn’t need fixing

SandraGiles
SandraGiles
9 years ago

I have to agree with Trevor Whelan’s comments re: the way the NZ FOL is used….the FOL  trial in Queensland was not a good example as the lure was pulled up right after the finish line in the bend of the track so it’s no wonder the dogs all piled into one another……I had first hand knowledge of this and was so angry that they were not conducting a proper trial and running it in the same manner as it is used and has been so sucessful in NZ. 

Gatesy
Gatesy
9 years ago

Fol made the noddies run better and the keen chasers went backwards. Cosmic rumble is a perfect example. Turned a brilliant box dog into mental case. Took us 7 months to get her mind back on the job. Went to Tweed and won 1st up off her break.

We should be catering for the best not striving for mediocrities