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Keeping the tracks on track
New irrigation equipment is being provided to Victorian greyhound racing clubs by Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) as part of a $2 million boost to its Safe Racing Program, GRV’s Director of Safe Racing and Infrastructure, Scott Robins, said today. GRV’s Safe Racing Program is aimed at delivering the best possible working environment for all greyhounds racing in Victoria.
The five-year plan, launched in 2019, is focused on a range of issues that affect track safety. These include the design of the tracks themselves, related infrastructure such as safety rails, track cambers, starting boxes, catching pens and lures, race day management practices and skills and training for track curators and their teams.
Mr Robins said a crucial component that has a major impact on safety and consistent racing performance is track surface quality. “A track that’s too hard or heavy increases the potential for injury, so good water management is critical, especially during the hot summer months,” Mr Robins said. “To help all Victoria’s clubs ensure their water management practices meet the required standards, GRV is investing more than $750,000 in new equipment such as water carts and tractors for towing them too, so that track curators can apply water as evenly as possible to prevent the tracks drying out and compacting. This is just one of the ways in which we are providing a safe workplace for our dogs.”
Independent Chair for Greyhound Clubs Victoria
Brett Jones, CEO of Greyhound Clubs Victoria, has announced an independent chair has been appointed to GCV, commencing April 1. “After conducting a thorough recruitment process, I am delighted to announce that the GCV Delegates have endorsed the Executive’s recommendation that Mr. Greg Davies be appointed as the inaugural GCV Independent Chair. He added "Greg brings vast knowledge and experience in the areas of governance, leading member-based organisations and building strong stakeholder relationships." “Greg has had a distinguished career including various roles with Victoria Police, performing the role of Secretary (CEO) of The Police Association and was the inaugural Victorian Victims of Crime Commissioner.
Milestone story: Hagrid Grange
Each month we like to recognise the milestones racing greyhound have reached in Victoria in recognition of their longevity. This month, it’s ‘hats off’ to Hagrid Grange, who has just clocked up 167 races, including 100 at Bendigo, and was rewarded for his achievement with a rug from the club, and retirement.
Lockwood South trainer Sebastiano Gibilisco has owned Hagrid Grange (Hesa Felon/Hoofla) for his last 120 starts. His passion for the dog is palpable. “He’s just a lovely dog, but a little bit more, he’s really loveable, you know?” “He has magnificent character. Always ready to go, and a very strong dog. He’s never had any major injuries, just little things, so he just comes out, comes in, lovely dog.” Hagrid turned six in February 2020, but Sebastian reckons “he could have gone another six months, but I wasn’t going to risk it, so now he’ll stay with me.” Hagrid comes from an impressive line, which includes Australian Cup winner Brett Lee and, on his sire’s side, Melbourne Cup winner Hallucinate. The Bendigo Greyhound Racing Club presented the dog with an impressive rug to mark his century and posted the event on social media. Bendigo Greyhounds Facebook: Fantastic effort from the recently turned 6yo HAGRID GRANGE and his trainer Sebastian Gibilisco on achieving the rare feat of 100 starts at the one track when he chalked up his Bendigo century in his 176th & final racetrack appearance at Bendigo on Wednesday... enjoy your retirement! Sebastiano make it clear he’s not yet up for the same fate, however. He still has Garage Sale (Dyna Double One/Molly Monroe), who is closing in on Hagrid’s impressive numbers at Bendigo.
Why not, Bazzar?
BY PHIL WEIR
The first thing you need to know about Why Not Bazzar is how to pronounce it. It’s not ‘Bazaar’ – it’s ‘Bazza’. The dog is named after a mate of trainers Greg and Gail Carter of Devon Meadows, who happens to be 328 game AFL/VFL veteran and 1981 Brownlow winner, Barry Round. The second thing, and probably the most unique, is that Bazza has recently clocked up 103 races, at the same track, over the same distance. Cranbourne, 311 metres; and familiarity hasn’t bred contempt, rather comfort. Bazza’s record shows he’s experienced eight other regional tracks since his debut in January 2018, before settling in at Cranbourne. So why the 311m? Greg Carter explained “He can’t run much past it. He used to run at Traralgon over 395 and 315, and Warragul over 400, but then we took him to The Meadows one day and down the back he was leading about six or eight length and once he got to the straight it was like letting a balloon go. He had just expended his energy. So, in the end, 311 it is.” For a dog that turned five earlier this month, he’s showing no signs of slowing down either. “I thought a few weeks ago it might be about time, but I brought him back and he’s had five placings since.” “He’s physically pretty fit. I get him checked ever week, and he only had a bit of a back muscle problem at one stage, but time healed that and he’s back in action.”
Greg attributes his longevity on the track to his honesty. “He’s just a good, honest dog that races against the top each week. He’s a brilliant beginner who gets on the rails and scrapes the paint all the way. For a sprinter, he’s got $96,000 on the clock and I think his biggest win was $5000.” At home, Greg says “Bazza is just a good dog. When I’m out there cleaning the yards, he just walks beside me. Just does what he needs to do.” He’s ruled out breeding from Bazza. “He’s by Fernando Bale, which is in his favour, but you don’t want to breed from a dog that’s short-course only.” When retirement does beckon, Greg says he’ll go to GAP and be a brilliant pet for someone. Like his namesake, Why Not Bazzar will no doubt retire a happy, relaxed, and ‘honest’ champion.
WHY NOT BAZZAR
Age: 5 years 1 month Won 42 from 125 (34%) In the money (top 3) 94 from 125 (75%) Won 32 from 103 over Cranbourne’s 311m (31%) Has had 90 consecutive starts over Cranbourne’s 311m
Past 5 starts: 33233
GRV CEO Alan Clayton, Chair Pieta Duncan and GM, Marketing and Strategic Communication Louise Martin were joined by Zoe and Princess for the wheel trip.
Neil’s Wheel –A dogs Day out
Victoria’s Good Friday Appeal, for the Royal Children’s Hospital, is one of the most popular and emotional annual events in the state. The ‘unofficial’ launch of the appeal, as described by its host, is ‘Neil’s Wheel’, when 3AW’s morning host Neil Mitchell invites organisations to ride the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel until they raise at least $5,000. Once again, GRV was invited to take the trip to be elevated 120 metres over the CBD, and once again the target has been reached, and is being exceeded. GRV Chair Peita Duncan, CEO Alan Clayton, and GRV General Manager Louise Martin took to the wheel at 8.40am and were ‘released’ an hour later when the donations reached just over $12,000. Over the course of the proceeding week donations have been pouring in from every facet of the industry, bringing Team GRV to a total donation amount of $17,630. The greyhound racing community is known for its generosity, over the past three years at Neil’s Wheel alone Team GRV has raised over $64,000 in donations for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. Team GRV thank each and every person and organisation that has donated in 2021 and in previous years.
Updated Breeding Exemption Application Form
GRV has undertaken a review of the Breeding Exemption Application Form and released a new form which includes Code of Practice requirements. The new form will be compulsory from 1 June 2021. The new form replaces the two forms that were previously used (two-step submission), with a single form to be completed by both the breeder and their veterinarian (single submission). For more information on the Breeding Exemption Application process and to download the form, please visit
https://greyhoundcare.grv.org.au/breeding/breedingrestriction-exemption-application/
Prize money increase for longer races
Prize money for all Victorian greyhound races over 480 metres and beyond at Provincial and Level 3 race meetings increased by 15 per cent from 15 March. GRV CEO Alan Clayton said this will see an extra $300,000 injected into 480m+ distance racing from mid-March through to the end of this financial year, while it will deliver an extra $900,000 in prize money to participants annually. Under the changes we are seeing: ■ Grade 5 races (480m to 594m) at Provincial Level be worth $1,900 to the winner and a total pool of $2,725. ■ Provincial races from 595m+ will be worth $2,185 to the winner and a total pool of $3,145. ■ Level 3 racing (Half Stakes/Tier 3) Grade 5 races (480m to 594m) worth $950 to the winner and a total pool of $1,365. ■ Level 3 races from 595m+ will be worth $1,100 to the winner and a total pool of $1,580. Mr Clayton said the increase is designed encourage our breeders, trainers and owners to aspire to race beyond 480m+ and support our racing product at these distances. “We have made these changes permanent after consultation with key stakeholders such as GOTBA, to underpin our commitment to longer races and provide our participants with a clear vision for distance racing into the future,” Mr Clayton told RSN’s Gareth Hall on 1 March. “The structure aims to the support our existing ‘Go Distance Racing’ schedule, which already provides $300,000 annually in prize money rewards for distance racing.” “Supporting these monetary incentives will be a review of some race programming initiatives, with the aim to provide opportunities for races over longer distances that will complement the new prize money structure.” “These could include changes to field sizes required for distance racing, and changes to the distances of regular heats and finals at Provincial meetings.”
Two important charities join the chase
BY ANDREW COPLEY
GRV’s 2021 Chase for Charity program was launched today with exciting news that two charities will join the competition for the first time.
Louise Martin, GRV’s GM Strategic Communication & Marketing, announced that McAuley Foundation and Time 2 Talk would be beneficiaries of the competition this year, along with Ronald McDonald House. Louise said that like Ronald McDonald House, the two new charities were close to her heart.
“Danny Frawley was a dear friend. I worked with him at the Department of Justice through the (AFL) Coaches Association. We’re working alongside his organisation (Time 2 Talk), which is about men’s mental health, and we’re also supporting McAuley House, which is about family violence and helping women and children be safe,” Louise said. Chase for Charity, part of the Off The Bench radio show which is heard on 1116 SEN and across various regional radio stations around Victoria every Saturday morning, sees hosts Craig Hutchison and Liam Pickering place bets on Victorian greyhound races each week with all winnings going to charity. The program has raised $170,000 for charity since it began in 2017.
