The Sunday Afternoon “Finish On”

While the big dance is more than four months away, applications for a slot in the 2022 Phoenix, to be run on December 17, close in 19 days.

WHILE the big dance is more than four months away, applications for a slot in the 2022 Phoenix, to be run at The Meadows on December 17, close in just 19 days.

This second instalment was recently announced as $1m to the winner – matching GRNSW's Million Dollar Chase – yet the Victorian placegetter's prizemoney far exceeds what is on offer at Wentworth Park on September 24.

In fact, The Phoenix (though not a free entry, open to all contest), relates to Greyhound Racing Victoria's agreed prizemoney split (first to fourth) of 20 per cent of the winner's purse for second, 15 per cent for third and 10 per cent for fourth.

The MDC last year offered $100,000 for second and $45,000 for third, just 10 and 4.5 per cent respectively of the winner's reward.

No doubt GRNSW will argue that $100,000 is a healthy reward for second in any contest but it's not just this race that NSW participants are short changed – it's state wide.

At The Meadows, a total of $1.65m will be paid to connections (and slot holders) with nomination fees mitigating $800,000 (plus GST if applicable) of the club's cost.

Certainly the 2022 Phoenix is the richest race in the world but its structure is exclusive and the Million Dollar Chase is the aspirational race every owner has a shot at via (state-wide qualification) but only the winner is getting the right whack up.

HOLDING FORM

One aspect of the 2022 The Phoenix which remains problematic for trainers and slot holders alike is the 14-week timeline from slot holders being announced to the December 17 gala event.

While the final field is not formalised until December 11, many slot holders will quickly negotiate to secure the best sprinters in the land and lock deals in.

Thereafter, it will be a waiting game. While class is permanent, form can be fleeting and the risk of injury in this hiatus period is real.

Former Victorian Premier Dr Denis Napthine will again lead the Independent Assessment Panel, which have the responsibility of selecting the successful slot holders but will the same trajectory be taken as 2021 when Racing Queensland, GRNSW, the NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers' Association and Racing and Wagering WA secured slots?

Will Napthine's team now look for commercial outcomes moreover this time rather than ‘industry money' being recycled?

FUNDING WELFARE

One of the best measures greyhound racing administrators have introduced in recent times is injury and welfare rebates.

Only this week, Racing NSW announced an increase in their Equine Welfare Fund to 1.5 per cent of all prizemoney paid while infrastructure funding of $125m includes $70 million in grants from the NSW State Government.

While greyhound racing in NSW struggles to get approval to spend promised monies ($30m) post the 2016 greyhound ban's repeal, the introduction of a Canine Welfare Fund – especially in NSW – makes a lot of sense.

GRNSW funds welfare outcomes (desexing for retirement and race track injuries) but have a particularly poor record in making timely payments.

Participants have long been blamed for not proving proper documentation yet, in many instances, ‘meat and two veg' refunds have taken multiple months to be processed.

In Queensland and Victoria, for example, refunds are paid (with proper documentation) in the next pay (prizemoney) cycle but GRNSW are not within ‘cooee' of that timeline.

Welfare must be a priority and its inherent cost should be borne by those who use it.

Racing NSW's model is not unique and the best self-insurance programs should be evaluated and introduced in NSW if participants and their precious hounds are to be treated respectfully.

NO EXIT STRATEGY

Just a few weeks back, there was no mainstream fanfare around the compulsory acquisition of Penrith Paceway and Showground (administered by the Penrith District Agricultural, Horticultural & Industrial Society) by the NSW State Government.

The acquisition was in order to relocate the Penrith Panthers to a new stadium on the premise that Infrastructure NSW would assist the club to find a new site within the local area.

That assistance is considered to be unlikely and it's a melodic tune which greyhound participants know so well … does the exit strategy from Wentworth Park sound familiar?

NRL Chairman Peter V'landys this week was refused funding for new stadia at suburban sites, with Premier Dominic Perrottet giving priority for funding for flood victims over investment into new stadiums.

So that begs the question: If the NRL is refused funding for upgrading of venues, what hope does greyhound racing have?

Greyhound racing's lease at Wentworth Park expires in 2027 and participants have long held the view that the Glebe track (with a massive annual rental cost) was no longer a viable facility location-wise.

The NSW Government has firm plans for the Blackwattle Bay precinct (development-wise) and the reclaiming of Wentworth Park is central to that.

The Concept Proposal for the new Sydney Fish Market and Stage 1 works assessment included “consideration of key issues raised in public submissions, including traffic, parking, contamination, and the connection between Wentworth Park and Blackwattle Bay.”

The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces approved the application in June 2020.

Greyhound racing should have left Sydney's CBD long ago and, with just on five years left on a finite lease, greyhound racing is looking down the same barrel as Penrith Paceway – being ejected without a helping hand.

The prospect of light is the March 25, 2023 State Election with, potentially, Chris Minns' Labor team providing a better outcome.

BE INFORMED

Greyhound Clubs Australia boss Troy Harley has put together a symposium at Darling Harbour's National Maritime Museum on August 25 which participants in the Sydney basin will find very engaging.

It's free (with lunch and refreshments provided) with Olympic gold medallist Natalie Cook a keynote speaker while aspects involving greyhound racing specifically are high on the agenda and include TV coverage (Fox Sports), social media engagement (Entain/Ladbrokes), an e-Tracking presentation from the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission and oversight on data collection and the use of technology for track preparation (by the Australian Turf Club).

Gold: Five time Olympian Natalie Cook

The collection and use of data for track preparation is important but it's not the be-all. Work practices and attention to detail are the intangibles which no data can identify or qualify.

Staff need to be remunerated and incentivised. Track preparation is not 9 to 5 and often seven days a week.

And, on Friday, the NSW GBOTA announced that gate entry (for the first 1000 adults) will also be free of charge on finals night (August 27) at Wentworth Park.

"While it's free entry for the first 1000, patrons will get a race book and $15 food voucher (a $5 voucher for every adult thereafter) as well," GBOTA Chief Executive Allan Hilzinger said.

"There will be a couple of food trucks, all the bars open, plenty of entertainment with a world leading magician, a DJ, face painting, jumping castle and plenty of other activities and giveaways."

Despite a very congested feature race calendar, the Nationals remain a very important to many owners and trainer. The big dance many not attain the same financial reward as other Group 1 features but the sense of achievement in winning for your home state is priceless.

HIGHEST RANK

The National Sprint heats are done and dusted, with winners (only) on Thursday at Cannington, Sandown, Albion Park, Angle Park and Hobart securing a place at Wenty on August 27.

The home state (NSW) gets its winner and runner-up through to the G1 decider and the final place goes to the top sprinter on Greyhound Clubs Australia's rankings.

The highest ranked sprinter which is eligible for elevation to the Sprint Final should she not win or run second on Thursday is NSW's Good Odds Cash.

If she straight-up qualifies, the next in line in WA's Vice Grip. Should he win the WA State Final, Zippy Tesla is next and he's the pre-post favourite to win at Sandown! Ritza Donna is next in line (ranked 23).

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