Victorian Greyhound Racing Needs A New Tier Below Tier 3 – Tier “Please Retire Me Now”

The standard of racing in country Victoria has been on a steady decline for over two years.

Sure the Feature Races are well served by good dogs but some of the meetings that have no features are devoid of any real class.

Some are denigrating to a joke, an embarrassment!

To emphasize the point I will enclose the 2011 form of one such animal.

This dog simply can't keep up. It is unfortunately slower than a Tier 3 runner; however it starts in graded races on primetime TAB fixtures.

It is also one of just a select few to have already raced in anger at the new $8.3Million dual tracks facility at Geelong.

I have, like most greyhound enthusiasts, been associated with slow dogs. At some stage you just gotta ‘pull the pin'.

This one has managed one win and two placings from 69 starts.

  • All “successes” were at Mt.Gambier in maiden and GR5 Class in slow times, in early 2010.
  • It has amassed $770 in prize money.
  • It has not placed since I was in short pants.(Not a pretty sight).
  • It has raced at all distances from 390 at Warrnambool to 732 at Mt Gambier in it's career.

Here is the full race record of the dog in question:

Pl Bx Wght Dist Trk Race Date Time BON M`gin 1st/2nd(Time) Split1 Comment S/P Grade Hcap
. . . 512 MTG R6 10/04/11 . .      . . .      . . 5P .
. . . 512 MTG R5 10/04/11 . .      . . .      . . 6 .
8 (4) 24.7 520 GEL R10 03/04/11 31.35 30.29      15.00 Dyna Shayla (30.40) 5.60      M5888 28.00 5 .
8 (5) 24.8 700 BEN R7 31/03/11 42.53 41.46      16.75 Midori Storm (41.46) 7.28      M3247,C2 54.40 5 .
R . . 732 MTG R6 27/03/11 . 43.45      . . .      . . O .
R . . 650 WBL R4 26/03/11 . 37.88      . . .      . . 5 .
7 (5) 25.4 545 BEN R11 21/03/11 33.02 32.08      14.85 Carloman (32.08) 13.65      M6777,C8 37.00 5P .
6 (3) 25.2 450 WBL R7 19/03/11 26.39 25.06      13.75 Newman's County (25.52) 6.93      M877 40.50 5T .
5 (5) 25.4 480 HOR R11 15/03/11 28.66 27.17      18.00 Smokey Cheese (27.53) 6.86      S875,C4 59.80 5P .
R . . 512 MTG R9 13/03/11 . 30.27      . . .      . . O .
R . . 512 MTG R7 13/03/11 . 30.27      . . .      . . O .
8 (4) 25.2 480 HOR R6 08/03/11 28.56 27.21      16.00 My Jabulani (27.54) 6.87      M888,C4 54.70 5 .
7 (8) 25.3 450 WBL R12 05/03/11 26.73 25.25      15.00 Catalina Girl (25.78) .      M756,C1 10.70 5P .
R . . 480 HOR R6 01/03/11 . 27.39      . . .      . . 5 .
6 (2) 25.8 512 MTG R7 27/02/11 31.40 30.55      12.50 Man Of Faith (30.61) 4.50      . . 6 .
S (6) . 512 MTG R6 27/02/11 . 30.55      . . .      . . 5 .
R . . 450 WBL R5 19/02/11 . 25.37      . . .      . . RWT .
5 (5) 25.7 512 MTG R6 13/02/11 31.75 30.49      10.25 Dylis Bale (31.11) 4.70      . 15.00 6 .
8 (5) 25.3 480 HOR R8 01/02/11 28.93 27.40      20.50 Why Not Dougie (27.63) 6.70      M888,C1 21.60 RWT .
5 (7) 25.6 512 MTG R6 30/01/11 31.66 .      10.75 Good Company (30.98) .      . . 6 .
R . . 450 WBL R12 25/01/11 . 25.59      . . .      . . 5 .
8 (1) 25.4 545 BEN R6 17/01/11 33.25 31.96      20.25 Magical Opening (31.96) 13.46      M6688,C5 38.60 5P .
R . . 512 MTG R7 16/01/11 . 30.28      . . .      . . 6 .
R . . 545 BEN R10 10/01/11 . 32.15      . . .      . . 5P .
S . . 545 BEN R7 13/12/10 . 31.91      . . .      . . 5P .
8 (3) 25.6 545 BEN R7 06/12/10 32.81 31.57      19.75 Redline Task (31.57) 13.79      S8888W,C4 18.30 5P .
7 (2) 25.2 480 HOR R5 30/11/10 28.23 27.29      12.50 Napoleon Tiger (27.43) 6.72      S757 27.10 5T .
7 (3) 25.4 650 WBL R4 27/11/10 39.46 38.15      20.50 Pure City (38.15) 18.35      S7777,C1 22.10 X45 .
4 (5) 25.4 512 MTG R6 21/11/10 31.25 30.48      7.10 Hot Ginger Bread (30.80) .      . 11.00 6 .
7 (2) 25.1 450 SHP R6 17/11/10 26.41 25.49      7.50 Celtic Fantasy (25.94) 6.97      S888 16.10 5P .
S (8) . 512 MTG R10 07/11/10 . 30.42      . . .      . . 6 .
S . . 700 BEN R6 04/11/10 . 40.60      . . .      . . X45 .
8 (6) 24.8 650 BAL R4 03/11/10 39.77 38.28      23.50 Lasting Effect (38.28) 18.45      M6888 26.80 5 .
5 (3) 24.6 450 SHP R6 27/10/10 26.39 25.66      10.50 Waverley Legend (25.72) .      S757,C4 25.90 5P .
5 (1) 25.0 512 MTG R6 24/10/10 31.21 30.67      8.03 Glenville Maggie (30.70) .      . 7.00 6 .
4 (2) 25.0 570 HOR R5 19/10/10 33.76 32.90      13.75 Dodgee Tom (32.90) 11.76      S4422,C1 20.40 X45 .
8 (3) 24.9 570 HOR R3 12/10/10 34.43 33.09      21.25 Emm Cee Gee (33.09) 11.77      M6578 31.00 N .
2 (4) 24.3 512 MTG R6 10/10/10 30.88 29.80      1.00 Road Rule (30.82) 4.55      . 7.00 6 .
6 (7) 24.6 700 BEN R4 04/10/10 41.90 40.72      18.75 Swift Linda (40.72) 7.92      S5555,C1 29.20 NP .
8 (8) 24.6 545 BEN R6 30/09/10 32.25 31.48      12.10 Flying Control (31.48) 13.14      M8677 27.60 5T .
R . . 545 BEN R4 28/09/10 . 31.21      . . .      . . 5 .
7 (2) 24.9 512 MTG R6 26/09/10 31.26 30.27      7.10 Boydtown Lad (30.81) .      . 5.00 6 .
3 (8) 25.0 512 MTG R7 19/09/10 31.24 30.59      4.90 Steve Limes (30.93) .      . 7.00 6 .
7 (8) 24.6 480 HOR R7 14/09/10 28.15 27.22      11.75 General Anders (27.40) 6.75      S777 10.80 5T .
6 (1) 24.4 480 HOR R9 07/09/10 28.46 27.15      10.50 Caloon Bale (27.79) 6.78      M688,C4 19.10 5P .
R . . 512 MTG R6 05/09/10 . 30.34      . . .      . . 6 .
6 (3) 24.5 480 HOR R10 31/08/10 29.00 27.55      14.25 Our Pal Sal (28.10) 6.85      M766,C5 28.20 5P .
6 (6) 24.4 450 WBL R10 28/08/10 26.88 25.37      15.00 Nikita Star (25.93) 7.13      S776W,C5 15.00 5P .
4 (8) 24.3 545 BEN R9 23/08/10 32.29 31.72      9.00 (31.72) 13.20      S6555 17.70 5P .
7 (2) 24.3 570 HOR R6 17/08/10 33.87 33.02      13.50 Koyuga Logic (33.02) 11.78      S6777 16.60 X45 .
6 (1) 24.5 512 MTG R6 15/08/10 31.90 30.84      8.75 Secret Abbie (31.35) .      . 7.00 6 .
R . . 570 HOR R9 10/08/10 . 33.28      . . .      . . N .
6 (2) 24.4 550 BAL R11 04/08/10 32.41 31.71      6.75 Shiraz's Luck (31.98) 12.27      S6455 31.40 RW .
6 (3) 24.5 650 WBL R7 31/07/10 39.23 38.30      14.75 Shauny Badtooth (38.30) 18.00      M6566,C2 10.90 X45 .
S . . 570 HOR R1 20/07/10 . 32.39      . . .      . . P .
7 (5) 24.6 512 MTG R9 18/07/10 31.25 30.40      9.50 Benara Tracy (30.65) .      . 15.00 5 .
R . . 512 MTG R5 18/07/10 . 30.40      . . .      . . 6 .
7 (2) 24.4 650 WBL R4 17/07/10 39.11 37.64      21.00 Amy Shiraz (37.79) 18.11      M7677,C5 16.40 5 .
6 (3) 24.2 545 BEN R7 12/07/10 32.88 32.00      14.00 Mrs Hyde (32.00) 13.09      S5766,C12 20.30 5P .
R . . 650 BAL R7 07/07/10 . 38.10      . . .      . . 5 .
R . . 570 HOR R11 06/07/10 . 33.20      . . .      . . N .
7 (3) 24.4 545 BEN R8 28/06/10 32.67 31.81      13.50 Sir Tastic (31.81) 13.65      S8888,C8 22.70 5P .
R . . 512 MTG R9 27/06/10 . 30.53      . . .      . . 6 .
R . . 512 MTG R8 27/06/10 . 30.53      . . .      . . 5P .
R . . 512 MTG R5 27/06/10 . 30.53      . . .      . . 6 .
R . . 650 WBL R4 18/06/10 . 37.87      . . .      . . X45 .
8 (4) 24.5 512 MTG R9 13/06/10 32.17 30.66      17.10 Nashira (31.09) .      . 10.00 6 .
6 (1) 24.8 650 WBL R9 05/06/10 38.93 37.88      16.50 Wadelock Tiger (37.88) 17.83      M5555 12.10 ST .
7 (1) 24.7 570 HOR R5 01/06/10 34.16 32.66      23.75 Our Toyman (32.66) 11.66      M5566,C5 25.60 X45 .
R . . 512 MTG R8 29/05/10 . 30.47      . . .      . . 5 .
R . . 512 MTG R7 29/05/10 . 30.47      . . .      . . 6 .
R . . 512 MTG R6 29/05/10 . 30.47      . . .      . . 6 .
R . . 512 MTG R4 29/05/10 . 30.47      . . .      . . 6 .
8 (5) 24.7 570 HOR R3 25/05/10 34.63 33.29      21.25 Vapour Boy (33.29) 11.76      S6677,C11 19.10 N .
R . . 570 HOR R5 18/05/10 . 33.15      . . .      . . X45 .
7 (3) 25.1 512 MTG R6 15/05/10 31.88 30.34      16.75 Glenville Mary (30.82) .      . 10.00 6 .
8 (8) 25.1 650 BAL R4 07/05/10 40.37 38.49      21.50 Triptych (39.02) 18.66      S5448,C4 18.40 N .
5 (6) 25.7 512 MTG R8 01/05/10 31.04 30.32      2.45 Real Hot (30.89) .      . 9.00 G .
4 (3) 25.3 700 BEN R2 22/04/10 41.50 39.83      26.25 Disco Dynamite (39.83) 9.03      S5555,C4 36.10 N .
8 (3) 25.3 480 HOR R7 20/04/10 28.25 27.17      11.00 Flying Control (27.55) 6.95      S888 20.00 RWT .
R . . 512 MTG R6 17/04/10 . 30.01      . . .      . . G .
R . . 512 MTG R4 17/04/10 . 30.01      . . .      . . G .
8 (3) 25.2 570 HOR R5 13/04/10 33.82 33.05      12.00 Instructed Star (33.05) 11.86      S7788 73.70 X45 .
R . . 650 WBL R4 09/04/10 . 37.76      . . .      . . X45 .
7 (7) 25.1 550 BAL R6 07/04/10 32.85 31.41      19.50 (31.61) 12.90      S8877 30.80 RWT .
R . . 545 BEN R7 03/04/10 . 31.12      . . .      . . 5 .
6 (5) 25.2 570 HOR R4 30/03/10 34.92 33.23      22.00 Dingo (33.53) 12.54      S7777,C7 17.70 N .
S . . 570 HOR R5 16/03/10 . 32.65      . . .      . . X45 .
7 (4) 25.3 732 MTG R6 13/03/10 45.56 44.20      21.55 Mantra Miss (44.20) .      . 14.00 O .
R . . 545 BEN R7 11/03/10 . 31.00      . . .      . . 5T .
7 (1) 25.2 512 MTG R4 06/03/10 31.23 30.08      9.55 Woodside Warrior (30.63) .      . 4.00 G .
R . . 570 HOR R10 03/03/10 . 32.85      . . .      . . 5T .
7 (6) 25.3 512 MTG R4 27/02/10 31.66 30.53      8.75 Teddy La Plume (31.11) .      . 8.00 G .
8 (4) 24.6 600 GEL R6 19/02/10 35.62 34.47      18.25 (34.47) 15.23      S8878 25.00 X45 .
2 (1) 24.7 512 MTG R4 13/02/10 31.22 30.59      2.00 Caspian Bale (31.09) .      . 3.50 G .
8 (7) 24.6 545 BEN R9 11/02/10 33.02 31.39      20.25 Shiraz Master (31.74) 13.61      S8888 23.20 5 .
R . . 545 BEN R9 04/02/10 . 31.76      . . .      . . 5 .
5 (8) 24.8 512 MTG R3 30/01/10 31.30 30.27      4.75 Kruzer Lad (31.00) .      . 3.80 G .
5 (8) 24.7 450 WBL R5 27/01/10 26.53 25.46      5.75 Jasmen Babe (26.16) 7.13      M887 12.60 5T .
6 (8) 24.6 512 MTG R3 16/01/10 31.44 30.30      1.93 Kruzer Lad (31.32) .      . 4.00 M .
8 (4) 24.9 480 HOR R5 12/01/10 29.10 27.79      15.00 That's Charlie (28.16) 6.81      S888,C4 16.80 5 .
S . . 480 HOR R2 05/01/10 . 27.43      . . .      . . MT .
1 (1) 24.8 512 MTG R1 02/01/10 30.80 30.21      3.00 Frosty Cobra (30.99) .      . 4.00 M .
6 (4) 24.8 450 WBL R9 29/12/09 26.63 25.50      12.75 Truckie (25.82) 6.73      M556W,C1 16.30 MT .
S . . 512 MTG R1 28/11/09 . 30.25      . . .      . . M .
4 (4) 25.8 512 MTG R1 17/10/09 31.99 30.38      12.00 Benara Jim (31.23) .      . 2.10 M .
3 (2) 25.8 512 MTG R1 03/10/09 31.73 30.57      5.35 Black Begosh (31.39) .      . 5.00 M .
S (3) . 512 MTG R1 19/09/09 . 30.55      . . .      . . M .
7 (4) 26.0 390 WBL R3 29/07/09 23.42 22.29      13.75 Reekay Rip (22.54) 9.14      M88,C4 18.80 MT .
6 (7) 25.9 390 WBL R4 25/07/09 23.20 22.27      13.75 Cheap Smokes (22.33) 9.13      S64,C2 . MMT .
T (3) 24.7 390 WBL R3 27/05/09 . 22.37      . . 9.43      M88,C7 13.10 M .

As you can see the closet it has managed is 10.25 lengths from the winner on 13/02/2011. Check out the time in comparison to the day's best!

That brings into perspective just how slow this animal is. It simply shouldn't be allowed to race in the prime time slots, big holding meetings.Quite often it has been in Quaddie legs etc.

I get it that the owner loves this dog. I love mine too but would not subject any of them to a ‘racer's life' if quite clearly they weren't up to it..

Give dogs poor one a chop-out and let ‘em sleep in with a full belly and the dreams of being able to catch up.

So what do I propose as a solution?

Obviously the new Tier “Please Retire Me Now” is unlikely to get the rubber stamp of approval from Greyhound .

But a rule change or a new rule or a different interpretation of a current rule will do.

Greyhounds that continually perform like this should be given a ticket for ‘failing to chase', so that their nomination will not be accepted until they trial to the satisfaction.

Perhaps all greyhounds should be able to trial within 8 lengths of the Tier 3 time restrictions? Any slower and they are an embarrassment.

already have qualifying trials for maiden greyhounds before they can be nominated to race. In NSW greyhounds have to trial in performance trials. In Victoria, anything goes!

The slowest of slow greyhounds, the worst non chaser, the most unruly fighter – In , they all get their chance to display their worst vices to the world through ; and further undermine public confidence in the code as they .

It is high time the highly paid executives at GRV realised that unless they introduce minimum standards to the quality of greyhounds they accept nominations for; then the speed and depth of the decline of the reputation and class of Victorian greyhound racing will only increase.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments