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 | Which Wabbit (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 | Rocks Back (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 | Coulta Sky (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 like this 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 Racing Victoria.
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 stewards 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.
Greyhounds WA 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 Victorian greyhound racing, they all get their chance to display their worst vices to the world through Sky Racing; and further undermine public confidence in the code as they do it.
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.