Things Are Not Always What They Seem

It is never easy to get to the heart of things in the racing industry. Here are some topical examples.

CASE 1.
Earlier (see Truth is Better than Fiction, 30 Jan) I suggested that, amongst other operators, Betfair did not publish turnover figures. A couple of readers took me to task, pointing out that a query of its website would reveal all. Well, they are part right. Yes, if you are a qualified Betfair customer, you can look up what bets were placed on a given race. But not if you are Joe Blow off the street. And nowhere can you locate figures for a given year. To further check this, I queried Betfair directly.

Absolutely, their spokesman replied, “we are not guarded in respect of our results”. However, responding to my twice repeated request for 2010/11 turnover data by code, he directed me to pages which simply showed race by race turnover. These included “matched amounts”, as Betfair terms them, and other information. Very nice, but not what I asked about. And I am hardly in the position to add up thousands of individual race figures.
Continue reading Things Are Not Always What They Seem

Can It Be Fixed?…….Yes…….But,…..

This is the last of three articles on the future of the code. The others were Racing’s Corporate Challenge (30 Dec) and The Triple Whammy (2 Jan).

Greyhound Racing is struggling under six layers of management: the club, state authority staff, state management boards, a national industry body, a collection including the Racing Minister, the racing department and other government interests, and the national Racing Ministers Council. And then there is a long list of local councils running shotgun over much of what happens. That’s a lot of people to get through to bring about any reform of the industry. But it must be done.

Reform is a welcome challenge for entrepreneurs, who relish the opportunity to try something new, to open up new frontiers, to create more interest, to increase efficiency. NT bookies are entrepreneurs. So, indeed, are dog trainers.
Continue reading Can It Be Fixed?…….Yes…….But,…..

Racing’s Corporate Challenge

Over the last 15 years wagering in all forms in Australia (leaving out gaming, casinos and poker machines) has doubled to its current total of $23.5 billion. That represents an average growth of about 4.6% p.a. But that figure disguises a lot of sins.

At the bottom is thoroughbred racing, which increased by an average of only 3.4%. Harness and greyhounds combined rose at 5.2% p.a. The big change has come from Sports betting which jumped from almost nothing to now comprise 14.2% of all wagering, just behind greyhounds at 14.6%. Harness is on the decline at 10.0% currently, while the thoroughbred share of total wagering has dropped from 75.6% in 1995/96 to 61.2% in 2010/11.

Racing turnover has been influenced by the addition of new betting operators and new meetings, first in the mid- to late-1990s and then following the establishment of SKY2 in mid-2010. Of course, they also attracted extra costs.
Continue reading Racing’s Corporate Challenge

Sportsbet Contribute $50Million To Racing

Australia’s leading online wagering operator, Sportsbet, is addressing growing misconceptions about the contribution of corporate bookmakers to the racing industry.

The Executive Chairman of Sportsbet, Matthew Tripp, says any suggestions that Sportsbet – as well as other major Australian-based online wagering operators – do not put money back into racing are incorrect.

“Sportsbet has recognised for a long time the need for the company to make sizeable financial contributions to the racing and sporting events that we offer betting services on,” Mr Tripp said.
Continue reading Sportsbet Contribute $50Million To Racing

NSW Gets It Half Right

Given comments earlier this week about the conflicted board of the NSW racing authority, it is only appropriate to look at the future.

A new set-up is due to arrive in February 2012 when the current board runs out of currency and the revised provisions of the Act come into force. Merit and skills in various business categories are the measuring sticks to be applied to incoming board members. Club affiliations are banned.

So far, so good. Broadly, this approximates the policies in place in Victoria and SA. Nominally, WA goes down that road, too, but the main power still rests with the state government via the tri-code RWWA, which holds the purse strings. Ditto in Tasmania. In Queensland, who knows how the mess will be sorted out?
Continue reading NSW Gets It Half Right

From Eternity To Here

Reading Chasing Dreams, A History of Greyhound Racing in Victoria, by Tim Haslett, reminds you of the sport’s tradition amongst landed gentry, of bickering between clubs, about abuses of live quarry, the popularity of live hare coursing, the former dominance of privately owned racecourses, and continual political infighting, amongst many other features.

The book offers a contrast with modern day practices and yet it also serves to remind us that some of the same old problems persist.

For example, while many applauded the decision to terminate commercial ownership of racetracks it should be noted that much of their history coincided with a mixed bag of overarching state authorities – themselves influenced by members with loyalties to special interest groups – as well as varying attitudes from individual politicians and the public.
Continue reading From Eternity To Here

2011 Pets Tucker Gawler Gold Cup Final Pre Post Market

Leading local greyhound bookmaker Peter Damarell has provided his market for Sunday nights Pets Tucker Gawler Gold Cup final installing Kalden Mayhem trained by Troy Murray as the $2.50 favourite.

Troy looks to have a big hand in the final with four runners engaged including the second and third favourites being Aston Thomas ($3.50) and Kalden Aurora ($4.60) with only Aston Usain given an outside chance in the pre post market at $21.00.

On course patrons will have the opportunity to win a $200 betting voucher to be placed on the Cup by filling out an entry form on the night. The voucher has been kindly donated by the SA Bookmakers League and will provide even more excitement on Sunday night for patrons.
Continue reading 2011 Pets Tucker Gawler Gold Cup Final Pre Post Market

Glory Without Power

If you had just arrived from Mars it might take you quite a while to work out how the greyhound world operates.

• Do you know there are now 19 Grades in operation around the country, and still counting? Here they are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Maiden, Graduation, Novice, FFA/FTA, No Grade, Open, 1-2 Wins (or similar number), Restricted Wins, No City Wins, Non Penalty, Tier 3, Mixed – versions 1 and 2. Some of these are similar and about half are designed for bad dogs, but our visitor would not know that
• Aside from Grades, some states put meetings into different ‘classes’ with different qualifications and offering different prize money. Most of these are not obvious, or they demand that readers first carefully study rules, regulations and formguides. Promotion rules vary from state to state. Trainers will know but the public is hard put to work it all out.
• In some states, boxes for reserve runners are decided by ballot, in others by giving the 9 the first crack, 10 the second. Anywhere, with two vacated boxes and only one reserve, the one used is sometimes not best for the conduct of the race (eg 1 and 5 empty, reserve into 5). Applying the existing national rule for boxing short fields would avoid that problem.
• Some race results offer a sectional time without denoting what dog did it, some do it for the leader only, some do it for all runners. One state publishes results in box order, not finishing order. Formguide layouts and contents vary from state to state. Track codes and other abbreviations vary from one to the other. No national form database is available to the public. (One does exist but it is kept secret).
• Three or four years ago the green rug – replacing brown – arrived in some states many months before others. Each state found it necessary to get their stewards to first conduct an evaluation. Consequently, races shown on SKY within minutes of each other showed different colours. (You might therefore ask about the purpose of having national steward’s conferences).
• The successful New Zealand style finish-on lure was evaluated state by state, and decisions made mostly on emotion. Hard evidence was forgotten.
• All states offer tracks with bend starts, but are some more horrible than others. Some tracks have features which directly cause interference, often on the first turn. Seldom is action taken to remedy the fault. Moreover, some clubs or authorities resent any such advice and may try to shoot the messenger.
• The arrival of Betfair and NT bookmakers prompted a range of reactions amongst the states. NSW, Queensland, SA and WA were strongly opposed. All are now in bed with the newcomers yet some apply different commissions to others.
• Australian racing rules apply across the nation – except that they don’t. All states have local rules as well, many of which directly contradict the national rules.
• But here is the biggie. Unlike virtually all other forms of racing – human or animal – if your dog busts the rules and fights it matters little. It can still win, run a place or whatever. At the gallops, harness racing and athletics you will be disqualified and/or relegated for comparable offences. In any code of football you will get penalised immediately and may be dismissed from the field. In cricket or tennis you will lose the advantage. In everyday life you will go to jail. In greyhounds you collect the cash and then go down the road to another track and do it again. How crazy is that?

In respect to fighting, other greyhound jurisdictions are not so bashful. Here is an excerpt from UK Rule 53:

‘The term ‘Deliberate Interference’ shall refer to the intentional interference by a Greyhound with one or more Greyhound(s) during a Trial or Race. The Local Stewards shall disqualify any Greyhound which deliberately interferes and the Owner of the Greyhound shall forfeit rights in that Trial or Race as specified in Rule 95. Such decision shall be final for the purpose of such Trial or Race.’

That seems fairer and more realistic. The victim is not unduly penalised.

Incidentally, Australian dogs do not fight any more. Instead, they ‘mar’ – ie ‘damage, impair, ruin’ (Macquarie dictionary). That hardly seems accurate, especially as the offender cannot get its teeth into the victim. On the other hand ‘fight’, which means ‘battle, combat, struggle’ is much more to the point. Why did we change? On the other hand, the British term ‘deliberate interference’ is pretty clear.

What does all this add up to? Well, at best it’s messy. At worst, the contrary ideas retard growth and risk allowing the industry to slide backwards in a very competitive world, bearing in mind that thoroughbred and harness racing are no better off, governance-wise. Betting on racing once accounted for half of all gambling turnover; now it’s generating only 10%. Enough said.

The code’s national organisation, Greyhounds Australasia Ltd, is a powerless body. Its decisions are voluntary and non-binding. Its deliberations are confidential, its agenda and minutes unseen. It has representatives from each state and New Zealand but it has decided to award itself no executive power. ‘We can only advise’.

Action depends on each individual state agreeing to implement any changes, and often they don’t.

Anyway, GALtd addresses only ‘regulatory’ matters, leaving individual states to be picked off, one at a time, by outside companies such as TABs, SKY, Betfair or NT bookmakers. The power to negotiate with governments or impress the public is diminished.

It’s time for GALtd to stand back, evaluate the industry, evaluate itself and find a better way forward.

Healesvile Greyhound Racing – Almost Great

The high profile Healesville re-opening last Sunday got some good headlines for a number of reasons but not for the most important one, and not for a lone black mark, of which more later.

The change from grass to loam is more than worthwhile, given the uncertainty created by weather conditions. It also seems to be offering a good run for all dogs, despite its unique use of a cable lure along the rails (normal straight track practice is a drag lure along the centre of the track). Funny, though, that some normally good beginners failed to get out well in the Cup heats. Still, local experience always counts.

Actually, the running is better than good. Previously, the track featured consistent crashing to the rail, which is why boxes 8, 7 and 6 – in that order – did best.
Continue reading Healesvile Greyhound Racing – Almost Great

New Broom For Queensland?

Queensland, not normally noted for reformist ideas, is now seeing a push for a commercial organisation to replace Racing Queensland Ltd as the controlling body.

Brenton Wilson, a committeeman at QGBOTA, has analysed the code’s woes in a paper published in Greyhounds Qld Magazine, edited by David Brasch. He wants to see a “private company … carry out the day to day management” of Queensland greyhounds. However, the private company would also attend to “capital works and project management”, which are hardly day to day issues.

It would report to a Management Committee made up of various industry stakeholders. Immediately, that risks confining its outlook to traditional matters. You could title that “We want initiative but not too much”.
Continue reading New Broom For Queensland?

Earning Your Keep

Marx and Lenin would no doubt look approvingly on the way football and racing authorities dole out cash. These two groups actually start out very similarly. Both allocate “wages” equally – at least amongst equal level clubs – only reserving some funds for those which get into strife and need special handouts.

One outcome of this policy is that a raceclub risks developing a cargo cult mentality, knowing that the cheque will arrive regularly – almost regardless of what it does. The vast majority of its income is derived from people it does not know and never sees – a far cry from the old days when a circle of bookmakers welcomed a large throng of locals and ten or fifteen thousand regularly attended city meetings.

Today, a raceclub that organises its business really well might do better than average, but only marginally.
Continue reading Earning Your Keep

NSW Greyhound Trainer Receives Two Month Ban For Codeine Positive

Greyhound Racing NSW Stewards have just released details of a stewards inquiry held over a week ago in to a positive swab in a greyhound from a Coonabarabran greyhoud meeting held in April 2011.

On the 23rd August GRNSW Stewards conducted an inquiry into analysts’ reports that the urine sample taken from the greyhound Sunshine Fury contained the drug Codeine.

The positive swab stems from a urine sample take from Sunshine Fury after that greyhound won the 5th Grade Bookmakers Final at the meeting conducted by the Coonabarabran GRC at Coonabarabran on 11th April 2011.
Continue reading NSW Greyhound Trainer Receives Two Month Ban For Codeine Positive

NSW Stewards To Invesigate Two Positive Swabs In Country Greyhound Meetings

GRNSW Stewards have announced their intention to commence two stewards inquiries in two positive swabs in country greyhounds Diesel Roc and Sunshine Fury.

The first of the inquiries relates to a positive swab to a prohibited substance found in the Alf Vella trained Diesel Roc, after that greyhound won at a Dubbo greyhound meeting on 16th June 2011.

On the day in question, Diesel Roc led all the way from box 4 at the lucrative odds of $9.60, and followed that performance with another all the way win at Dubbo from box 2 one week later, running similar times.

The inquiry will be conducted at the offices of the Dubbo Greyhound Racing Track on Tuesday 23rd August 2011 at 12 noon.

The second inquiry relates to a positive swab to a prohibited substance found in the Eric Butler trained greyhound Sunshine Fury after that greyhound won at a Coonabarabran greyhound meeting on Monday 11th April 2011.

GRNSW did not disclose what necessitated the long delay between the positive swab and confirming the stewards inquiry.

On the day in question Sunshine Fury won the 5th grade Bookmakers Trophy final in 23.53 after having won her heat just two days prior in 23.34.

Sunshine Fury has never raced again since the 5th grade final back in mid April.

The GRNSW stewards inquiry will be conducted at the offices of the Dubbo Greyhound Racing Track on Tuesday 23rd August 2011 at 2.30pm.

Managing Change Is Always A Risk

Patrick Smith (in The Australian April 30, 2011), talking of the gallops, has maintained “racing is losing ground by the meeting” and that “without an independent commission to run the sport and business at either state or national level, racing is shredded by self-interest. Without proper governance it has no chance of holding its ground, never mind expand its audience”.

Patrick can get a bit over the top. Nevertheless he sometimes represents a view that is more widely held than we realise. And while whips and jumps races dominated his thinking, it’s not hard to think of how the industry has handled other challenges.

The rise and rise of NT bookmakers and Betfair would be at the top of that list. At the outset the racing establishment, almost to a man, either ignored or castigated the newcomers. The Australian Racing Board distorted evidence from the UK about Betfair’s role in race-fixing (see, instead, the UK Jockey Club’s reports). Racing NSW boss Peter V’Landys described the bookies as “parasites” (wrongly, as they had always offered to pay field fees). GRNSW chairman Percy Allen was quick to join in, advising participants to avoid them at all costs. Racing Queensland chief Bob Bentley, too. A tame Task Force of state bureaucrats found that Betfair was a clear and present danger to the industry. Then a poorly-advised WA Racing Minister tried to ban Betfair but was cut down by the High Court.
Continue reading Managing Change Is Always A Risk

Betezy Confirmed As New Maitland Greyhound Racing Sponsors

After a raft of sponsorship agreements from corporate bookmakers with greyhound clubs, the Maitland Club have now confirmed a signage and sponsorship agreement with Corporate Wagering company, Betezy.

The club is thrilled with the deal which will see significant benefits for participants racing at Maitland.

For the remainder of 2011, beginning Thursday March 3, one trainer from each event held at Maitland will be drawn at random to win a Betezy betting voucher to the value of $100.
Continue reading Betezy Confirmed As New Maitland Greyhound Racing Sponsors

Betfair Secure Naming Rights To Wentworth Park Gold Cup

Hot on the heels of the rich sponsorship agreement between leading Australian bookmaker Centrebet and the NSW GBOTA, the NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association have today announced that betting exchange Betfair will receive prominent signage and sponsorship of the Group 2 Wentworth Park Gold Cup.

Betfair and NSW GBOTA officials will mark the start of the partnership on Saturday night, with the unveiling of feature signage and presentation to the winner of the Betfair.com Stakes.

Association Chairman, Geoff Rose said the announcement of the Betfair agreement marked an exciting week in the GBOTA’s year, following other sponsorship deals concluded earlier in the week.
Continue reading Betfair Secure Naming Rights To Wentworth Park Gold Cup

Betting Exchange Giant Dumps Low Class Greyhound Meetings

Betting exchange giant, Betfair has recently taken a decision to discard certain greyhound meetings from its revolutionary betting model.

The meetings listed in the table below will no longer be offered to its customers.
Continue reading Betting Exchange Giant Dumps Low Class Greyhound Meetings

Billy Bobaggings First To Capture Labtech Stayers Bonus

Billy Bobaggings 42.66 win on Friday night (19.11.10) at Wentworth Park, meant he was the first greyhound to capture the Labtech Stayers Bonus of an additional $1,000 prizemoney.

The Michael Blissett trained stayer secured the bonus payment after recording his third consecutive win at Wentworth Park, all recorded this month.

The white and black dog stepped well from the one alley, to lead all the way over the 720m journey, setting his personal best time in the five and half length victory over Cristalle and Miracle Miss.
Continue reading Billy Bobaggings First To Capture Labtech Stayers Bonus

Betfair Move On The Very First Day Of NSW On Course Sponsorship Free For All

Betfair, Australia’s only licensed betting exchange, has announced a landmark on-course New South Wales (NSW) sponsorship deal with Richmond Greyhound Racing club, that will see them offered opportunities for on-course signage and marketing opportunities.

The move marks the beginning of what could be a free for all as other licensed corporate bookmakers such as Sportsbet, Iasbet, Centrebet, Sportingbet or Luxbet might seek to build upon their already strong brands and take the opportunity for greater exposure and visibility.

The deal marks the end of 10 years of on-course TAB sponsorship dominance that has prevented other licensed Australian wagering operators from marketing their services on race courses of any kind in NSW.
Continue reading Betfair Move On The Very First Day Of NSW On Course Sponsorship Free For All

New Heating For Ballarat, New Windows For Warrnambool & New Lights For Horsham

Thirteen racing clubs in Victoria’s west and south west will share in $112,900 funding for racing as part of the Brumby Labor Government’s Living Country Racing Program, Deputy Premier and Racing Minister Rob Hulls announced today.

Visiting Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club today, Mr Hulls said the funding would help the 13 racing clubs improve their racing facilities for use by their broader local communities.

“Racing clubs in western and south western Victoria play a pivotal role in local communities, fostering a strong sense of Community spirit, while also helping to drive the local economy,” Mr Hulls said.
Continue reading New Heating For Ballarat, New Windows For Warrnambool & New Lights For Horsham

Sunday 23rd May 2010

Saturday 22nd May 2010

Saturday 19th December 2009

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Saturday 5th December 2009

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Saturday 28th November 2009

Continue reading Saturday 28th November 2009

Kay Size Cruises To A Gosford 618m Double

Last Tuesday night Gosford played host to members and supporters of the Gosford Rhinos Ice Hockey Club. It was great to see new faces enjoying a night out at the greyhounds, some of them for the first time.

Racing on the night was keen with punters finishing on top of the bookmakers. The 515m Maiden was taken out by the well bred Miss Westend trained by John Heard. By Surf Lorian ex Westend Kaitlyn Miss Westend landed straight on the bunny & led throughout to record a 3¾ length win in 30.43, landing some good bets in the process.

The Reg Kay trained Kay Size made it four wins from his last four starts & two from two at Gosford with a resounding 7½ length victory over the 618m in a smart 35.16sec. Kay Size now has six wins & one minor placing from just twelve starts & has won at Wentworth Park, Gosford, Maitland & up the straight at Capalaba.
Continue reading Kay Size Cruises To A Gosford 618m Double

Saturday 21st November 2009

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Drill ‘Em Ends Amity Bale’s Winning Streak

Drill ‘Em put an end to Amity Bale’s phenomenal nine race winning streak when he took out the $36,000 Group 2 Bold Trease Carnival Cup at Sandown Park tonight.

Backed into $7.50, Drill ‘Em pounced from box four to lead all the way and win in 42.08 seconds.

“It’s a huge win,” said owner Neil Rowe.
Continue reading Drill ‘Em Ends Amity Bale’s Winning Streak

Gawler’s Feature Event The Bunyip Gawler Gold Cup

The Bunyip Gawler Gold Cup is the premier racing event for the Gawler Greyhound Racing Club and will draw a substantial crowd at the Gawler Show grounds, Nixon Terrace this Sunday 15th of November.

The event has grown considerably over the last few years and the Club is expecting close to 1000 people through the gates this year.

The Rotary Club of Gawler are the main beneficiary, as entry is simply a gold coin donation (notes will be accepted), which is all donated to the Rotary Club, so the Community benefits.
Continue reading Gawler’s Feature Event The Bunyip Gawler Gold Cup

Kite Street Upstages Dana Beatrice In Cowra Cup

A bumper crowd was left stunned when Kite Street upstaged local champion Dana Beatrice in a magical Cowra Motors Greyhound Racing NSW Country Challenge final (524m) on Friday night.

The Golden Easter Egg-winning starlet Dana Beatrice looked the winner for every inch of the 524m dash before succumbing to a withering late burst from Kite Street.

Punters eagerly awaited the decision before the judge flashed up the Cowra-based Kite Street as the winner by a nose.
Continue reading Kite Street Upstages Dana Beatrice In Cowra Cup

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