“Sad It's Come To This”: GRV Discontent Widens

IT may be just an uprising for now yet the unrest and discontent between participants and Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) has the portents of a Civil War.

Only last week, GRV announced a significant increase in prize money for all venues in Victoria yet that news has only riled rank-and-file south of the Murray.

Represented by the Victorian Greyhound Owners, Trainers and Breeders' Association (VGOTBA), the group has called for nominations to be withheld for meetings at Cranbourne, The Meadows and Ballarat on Saturday, July 3.

"We have tried to engage with GRV but they don't want to listen," multiple Group 1 winning trainer Robert Britton said.

"The real issues owners and trainers have is endemic poor treatment and administrator self-interest.

"Decisions are being made by people who really don't ‘get' how they disaffect people's lives. These things affect real people, and in turn their greyhounds … the rot has to stop.

"I've been involved in greyhound racing for more than 50 years and I've never seen such frustration and anger from participants.

"GRV sees its own administration as the core of the industry and, unfortunately, looks upon participants as subjects to be managed rather than people who invest, take risks, do the right thing and ultimately work really hard.

"It's really easy for administrators not to consult, not to really engage with input, not to take on board concerns, but this administration has taken it to the next level.

"It's usual for consultation to come after decisions are already signed and sealed."

The divide between Chetwynd Street and grass roots participants has never been so stark.

"It's sad that it has come to this but in my opinion keeping the Minister happy and appeasing their political masters is GRV's number one priority," Britton added.

"How they get there is brutally cast aside."

There has been no single catalyst for the Victorian GOTBA's stance and frustration is boiling.

"Three big issues are safe racing, fair treatment and an equitable return to industry prizemoney-wise … but it's not limited to that," premier trainer Anthony Azzopardi said.

"Track safety is a concern to all. A raft of issues were raised from major meetings last year regarding track surfaces and abandonments but no action has been taken.

"In respect to prize money, Victoria is Australia's largest but costliest greyhound racing jurisdiction, and the administration spent almost $60m last year on items without the prospect of a capital return or to improve infrastructure.

"Participant share of industry income was 53% a few years back, was 43% last year and continues to fall despite surging income. And in that time greyhound racing costs have skyrocketed – a glance at a meat bill tells you that."

Adding fuel to Azzopardi's stance was news that Racing Victoria will increase total prize money for the next financial year to $280m – an increase of just on $60m for the past five years.

"Victoria (thoroughbreds) will offer more than $280 million in prize money and bonuses next season, a record amount and an increase of over $100 million or 60 per cent since 2015," Racing Victoria Chair Brian Kruger announced on Monday.

Azzopardi continued: “In the same five-year period GRV has increased Victorian prize money by 19 per cent but, there are 12 per cent more races and conducted and many, maybe all, I expect, are half prize money!"

Regulatory decisions set by GRV are the most hardline in the country.

"We are being persecuted here," Robert Britton added.

"Many rules GRV have in place make ordinary, safe participation demanding and that's to benefit the administration's oversight. It's our way or the highway is their mantra.

"And the lack of co-operative dialogue is just appalling. GRV has blocked out communication with the GOTBA over the past 18 months, and chooses to sit in an echo chamber.

"All the GOTBA has done is ask questions. We have found out the hard way that they don't like being questioned by participant groups or clubs.

"My view is that the disconnect started with Covid-19 when GRV asked us to take a ‘haircut' in prize money.

"The VGOTBA agreed with that concept but also asked what GRV management was going to do to share the burden?

"It was clear that GRV were not prepared to share the burden at all, but tried to sell the concept and where the GRV Chair told us: ‘we will protect prize money and cut admin costs' in order to make the issue evaporate.

"When the AFL and Racing Victoria were cutting to the bone during Covid-19, GRV reduced prize money and gave management and administration pay increases. Here's what happened during Covid-19 sanctions:

* GRV income increased from $103.6m to $106.6m.

* GRV senior executive group remuneration cost increased 30% – $2.343m to $3.038m.

* GRV total administrative expenses rose 13.4% – $12.63m to $14.37m.

* GRV board wages and expenses increased 25% – $671k to $836k.

* GRV total expenditure (excluding prizemoney and infrastructure) rose 5.7% to $56.7m.

* Full-time equivalent employees at GRV reached a record 192.

* Consultancies increased 11% to more than $1m yet returns to participants went down despite more races and meetings being run than in FY 2018/19.

"GRV reduced prize money and at the same time increased administration and management costs despite Minister Martin Pakula stating in senate estimates that GRV have reduced administrative costs by around $800,000 per month – and he was wrong.

"Projections are that in FY 20/21 percentage return to Victorian participants will be the lowest this century. There is no end to the waste."

While Robert Britton and Anthony Azzopardi regularly contest elite level races, the effect is industry-wide.

"The prize money issue relates to all levels of racing, whether you are a professional or hobby trainer, big owner or small, the investment is similar for each dog," owner-breeder Greg Doyle said.

"It really is the smaller trainers, many racing at the lower levels that need support to ensure it's viable to remain involved.

"Also, owners have absolutely stepped up in terms of ensuring the welfare of the greyhounds once they finish racing. Everyone needs to be looked after."

This issue will only be resolved with meaningful consultation and for GRV to understand the disconnect which is apparent to all bar decision makers at Chetwynd Street.

Note: GRV CEO Alan Clayton was invited by the Greyhound Recorder to speak on this issue but declined the opportunity.