The Sunday Afternoon “Finish On”

PARTICIPANTS might have considered the battle was won in 2016 when the Baird Government overturned its legislated greyhound racing ban in NSW.

Much has changed in a positive way regarding welfare and integrity since those dark days yet the recent anti-racing activist's focus on New Zealand, South Australia and Tasmania delivers a message to all participants – they will never relent and their lies must be dealt with.

Greyhound racing is a multi-billion dollar industry but just how much resource, time and or energy is dedicated to advocacy and strategy in order to tackle a flood of debilitating lies?

Day to day, 99 per cent of the general public don't give a ‘rats' about greyhound racing but everyone cares about animal welfare and that's where greyhound administration has dropped the ball.

Greyhound Australasia's CEO Simon Stout last month met with NZ Racing Minister Kieran McAnulty in Wellington along with GRNZ CEO Edward Rennell and his Board Chairman Sean Hannan.

The message to McAnulty was positive and delivered a unified front from across the Tasman.

NZ's Racing Integrity Board delivered multiple targets for GRNZ to attain to secure their future and Minister McAnulty and the RIB have acknowledged genuine progress has been made.

GRNZ is conducting due diligence on GWIC's new eTrac system and that oversight will greatly enhance integrity, welfare and traceability across the nation.

Just who will co-ordinate a united front against the lies promoted, primarily on social media but also accelerated by agenda driven politicians?

Greyhound Australasia has the financial resource to fully challenge these people but have been mute to this day.

Their lack of advocacy is just appalling and, as a representative body, they cannot get the job done.

GA's charter is to foster and grow greyhound racing but, the way this is heading, money in the bank is cold comfort to participants if something like the Baird oversight is repeated.

A shift in GA's mindset and oversight is needed as a matter of urgency.

Sandro Bechini has secured massive industry support with his "Countering Lies About Greyhound Racing" Facebook page yet it should not be left to Sandro to fight the good fight as this existential battle is just too consuming for an individual to champion.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/250567427834654

Participants are looking for direction and assistance in getting out the message they are nothing like the folk depicted by activists.

If GA cannot rise to the occasion, surely, they should fund an entity like Greyhound Clubs Australia to provide advocacy.

The time to act is not tomorrow, next week or next month … it's now!

CHANGE FOR GOOD

While New Zealand is in focus, their Preferential Box Draw processes are now conducted for 70 per cent of all races in the Shaky Isles.

What started as a pilot project and utilised for Class 1 greyhounds (maiden winners only) at inception, it was introduced with some skepticism but the real benefit is clear.

Falls and fractures are down by 50 per cent and fatalities are down by 80 per cent.

Below is a PDB event at Auckland on Sunday … clear running for all.

In a recent submission to industry, GWIC advanced the fact that 83 per cent of all injuries are impact (collision) related and the PBD trials at Wentworth Park (two races on a Wednesday) and the same for Thursday's Dapto card next week.

Change has come glacially on these shores yet the use of IsoLynx technology will only accelerate the benefit of PBD uptake and the sooner all Australian tracks get on board, the better it will be for all.

For greyhound racing to be sustainable, every aspect of safety must be fully utilised and those opposing PBDs need to digest the NZ injury reduction stats.

CAUTION

Having first hand experience of ‘manufactured' evidence of cruelty from Vietnam back in 2015, it comes as no surprise that activists are again using drones and illegally entering properties to install covert (and illegal) closed circuit cameras.

Diligence is one thing yet no one is immune to being set up and any suspicious activity should be reported to police and the relevant regulatory authority.

An investigation by police can establish the source while, GRV, GWIC, QRIC et al will be able to make direct reports to government.

They are being illegally placed on properties to gather ‘doctored' intel and all participants need to be vigilant.

SAFETY FIRST

As much as $9 was on offer about the prospect of Grafton Maiden Classic placegetter King Of Aces winning (at his local debut) at Albion Park on Thursday.

The talented son of Hooked On Scotch was into $6 at the off and, when racing a close second before the 600m boxes, his supporters had reason to feel comfortable.

Unfortunately, Rosie's Prince had tumbled at the first turn and, when unable to be collected by the track attendants, he ran back towards the approaching lure and, with the dog's safety paramount, the lure slowed and the contest was cut short.

The diligence of stewards and the track staff should be noted and appreciated.

Albion Park had three staff attempt to collar Rosie's Prince but it was to no avail.

Fortunately, there were no injuries from the incident and King Of Aces will get his chance again at Brisbane's premier track but there's zero chance of $9 being offered again.

TURNED OVER

The lines were blurred for this writer on Thursday regarding the TAB's “Responsible Gambling” outlook, their “Know Your Customer” undertaking and “Money Laundering” oversight.

Having knowledge of a solid 30.07 trial at Dapto, the $5 offered about Tarawi Winnie in the meeting's opener appealed.

Without getting too precise, my bet was cut to $125 at $5 on the premise of the minimum bet limit of winning $500 being reached. That's not ideal for yours truly (considering she won in a smart 29.70) but the aftermath is troubling.

I decided to immediately withdraw the net balance from the account but the computer said "no".

A call to Customer Service was expected to quickly resolve the issue but it only served to highlight the double standard in play.

The money, I was advised "had to be turned over" before being withdrawn.

Let's not forget total deposit was wagered in the first instance and it was the TAB which decided to not accept the full amount.

Now the Jolly Green Giant wanted me to bet on some other race/sport/contest to get my money back.

Is that Responsible Gambling or Wagering?

The customer service team member tried then to explain this was not an issue re RG but moreover anti money laundering … wow!

How can asking for a bet to the full balance available, being rejected and then deciding to not risk the coin on another contest be considered money laundering?

As a "one-off goodwill gesture", Tabcorp refunded my money yet the request to speak to a senior account manager, now 72 hours passed, has not been acted on.

Regulators should be jumping all over Tabcorp (and any others trying this on) and have laws been breached by this refund or is the Tabcorp line just a ruse?

Rules are intended to curtail shady types from cleaning cash but this episode is ‘punter bashing'.

Seems like punters get no relief from regulators in matters like Dapto on Thursday and its offensive to be told "a bet must be struck" with the balance of the account to have it returned.

Hopefully a Tabcorp operative calls in the next few days but I won't be holding my breath!

HAIR OF THE DOG

In recent times, securing trials in South East Queensland has been problematic for trainers yet an interesting development allegedly cropped up late last month.

Queensland Racing and Integrity Commission stewards have attended trial sessions without warning in recent times and, at one trial session, the bush telegraph ran hot.

It's estimated 35 dogs did not take up bookings for one morning session and their absence was noted by QRIC officials.

Swabbing at trials is not new and out of competition testing is par for the course in Queensland while QRIC's hair testing regime (which detects permanently banned substances for many months) will soon be advanced to race day procedures.