Queensland to introduce preferential box draw pilot for straight greyhound racing
Racing Queensland (RQ) has yesterday announced a groundbreaking pilot program for greyhound racing, aimed at enhancing fairness and competitiveness in straight greyhound race outcomes.
The Preferential Box Draw (PBD) pilot program, set to be implemented in June 2023, seeks to revolutionize the traditional box draw process, providing a more equitable and exciting racing experience for participants and fans.
It will only run initially on straight greyhound racing at Capalaba, as a precursor for implementation at the new Q Straight track in 2024.
The Queensland announcement comes less than two months after Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) abandoned its PBD program citing administrative issues.
The GRV PBD pilot was set to commence at Traralgon on April 19 2023.
Greyhound Racing New Zealand was first to introduce the PBD system in this region in April 2022, but West Australia (WA) was first out of the boxes in Australia, running their first PBD races in early March 2023.
The WA PBD strategy is identical to the ill-fated Victorian PBD pilot where by trainers nominate their preference for starting position but the WA model has an additional option.
The WA pilot is currently limited to maiden and novice grade greyhounds, but Racing and Wagering West Australia (RWWA) has just announced plans to extend the study to include country class 5th/6th mixed grade races.
Greyhounds in WA are considered ‘railers', ‘straight' or ‘wide' runners yet within the grading process there remains a randomness to the outcome of the box draw.
The RWWA PBD study is ongoing and no definitive outcomes have yet been determined.
Greyhound Racing New South Wales (GRNSW) is “still in discussion” about launching a practical PBD test study in the the state.
The RQ PBD pilot program introduces a new approach to assigning starting boxes for greyhound races in Queensland.
Instead of relying solely on a random allocation, the innovative RQ PBD system takes into account the greyhounds' recent performance and assigns boxes based on their form.
This means that greyhounds with superior recent performance will have an increased likelihood of securing favourable starting positions.
The introduction of the PBD pilot program signifies RQ's commitment to continuously improving the sport of greyhound racing.
By incorporating performance-based factors into the box draw process, the program aims to level the playing field and reward greyhounds that have consistently demonstrated their racing prowess from certain draws.
By providing greyhounds with starting positions that align with their recent performances, the program aims to create more evenly matched races, generating thrilling competitions that captivate spectators.
Greyhounds must be nominated specifically for PBD races, and initially trainers will assign either ‘rail' or ‘wide' classifications to their dogs.
After the first nomination and subsequent race start, the early running trait of a greyhound will be reviewed by the PBD Panel and may be amended with the trainer consulted and advised accordingly.
The PBD Panel will consist of two Graders from RQ and a Steward from the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC).
Racing Queensland will closely monitor the results and feedback from the Preferential Box Draw pilot program, considering its potential for permanent implementation.
The following Capalaba races with be run as PBD pilot races
- 5th Grade Heats 366m – July 2
- 5th Grade Final 366m – July 9
- Masters 5th Grade 366m – July 16
- 5th Grade Heats 366m – July 23
- 5th Grade Final – July 30
There was no word on when, or if, the PBD pilot would be extended to one-turn and two-turn greyhound races.
The insights gained from this pilot will inform future decision-making, ensuring the continuous improvement and evolution of greyhound racing in Queensland.
The Preferential Box Draw pilot program represents a progressive step towards optimising fairness and competitiveness in greyhound racing.