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Post by SALFORD GIRL on Jan 21, 2019 23:58:04 GMT
There’s no ‘right’ pick for GBGB awards but . . .BY JONATHAN KAYSUNDAY sees the annual GBGB awards and if the event needed any pre-publicity then the angst in certain quarters about some of the nominations has certainly provided that.
Three greyhounds in each distance category earn nominations from voters who comprise the members of the Greyhound Writers’ Association, and it is a process that has largely stood the test of time since the system was introduced in the early 2000s.
However, nothing stays the same forever and perhaps it is time for a review even if I largely concur with the nominations this time around, unlike some.
Mark Keightley, a shrewd form student in addition to being a huge part of wife Hayley’s training operation, made a valid observation when guesting on Racing Post Greyhound TV last month when asking just who qualifies for a vote. Back in the halcyon days of print journalism there was a solid core of voters whose sole work revolved around greyhound racing.
The current era, though, sees a majority who just dip an occasional toe into the sport. The GWA has had to broaden its horizons these days to reflect that, but should membership immediately confer voting rights?
Frankly, I do not trust some of my fellow current members to know the difference between a level break and a handicap never mind the vagaries of who was top sprinter.
Interestingly, many other media organisations require an apprenticeship to be served before the right to vote on awards is earned. For instance, in the USA a baseball writer needs ten years on the ‘beat’ before being awarded with such privilege.
I’ve seen calls for a public vote, but those generally evolve into who runs the best social media campaign, so perhaps a points-based system should be considered?
It is not just who can vote which should be reviewed, but also the way the various distances are split. For instance, what constitutes a sprint? Is it merely two-bend racing or does it go all the way up to Romford’s 400m trip which, after all, includes a competition called the Golden Sprint?
And what of the marathon division? Shotgun Bullet’s nomination attracted raised eyebrows and was clearly due to his brilliance in the Golden Jacket at Crayford. It is over eight bends but is it a marathon?
Trainer David Mullins has been outspoken in his criticism of the voters for omitting his Troy Bella from the sprint nominations and asked those who did not vote for the dog to explain their reasoning.
My three were Kilmore Lemon, Calzaghe Flash and Stringer Bell in a division where there was no truly dominant hound.
I overlooked the sole Category One two-bend winner, Cotton Pants, on his overall campaign and ranked the Category One Guys & Dolls form of Kilmore Lemon as tipping the balance when added to his two-bend wins.
The National Sprint at Nottingham is, for me, almost an end-of-season championship while I felt that Troy Bella’s Scurry win came in a low profile competition which is a shadow of its former glory. Indeed, I ranked Stringer Bell’s Bedfordshire Sprint win at Henlow higher.
Some voters, albeit clearly not enough, will have regarded Troy Bella’s full-year performances as worthy of a nomination although were he in a four-runner peak-form race against the three who did get nominated – Affane Party, Calzaghe Flash and Kilmore Lemon – he would, in my opinion, be the big outsider.
As for the marathon, connections of Maysdreamcatcher were miffed their Dorando and Kent Cesarewitch winner did not get a nomination, but the eight-bend scene was far stronger at the end of the year than when she was in her pomp – her last appearance was in early August.
My one-two-three here was Slippy Maggie, Savana Winner and Goldies Hotspur, reflecting the tremendous racing put on by Crayford in the second half of the campaign with the Kent Leger, TV Trophy and Boxing Day Marathon.
Each voter has different priorities and, in general, there are rarely any stupid outcomes, but that does not mean a review of the whole process is not due.
It’s often mentioned and then forgotten, but the time is right for a full post-awards discussion to ensure everything is fit for purpose.
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Post by BVADMIN on Jan 22, 2019 13:06:37 GMT
TAKEN FROM THE GREYHOUND STAR WEBSITE:: greyhoundstar.co.uk/extension-injury-recovery-scheme-piloted-monmore/
WELFARE: GBGB LAUNCH IRS EXTENSION AT MONMORE
MARK BIRD
Following the recently announced national Injury Recovery Scheme (IRS), GBGB is partnering with Greyhound Trust and Monmore Green Stadium to launch an additional pilot with a view to ending any cases of unnecessary economic euthanasia. The new pilot scheme, which is being trialled at Monmore, aims to fully rehabilitate and home every greyhound that sustains a career-ending injury at the track.
Mark Bird, GBGB Managing Director, said:
“Over the past 12 months, as part of our Greyhound Commitment, we have begun rolling out a series of welfare improvements across the sport. We are very pleased that this new pilot, and future initiatives like it, will be assisted by the additional funding on bookmakers’ online betting revenue announced earlier this month.”
From Monday 21st January, any owner whose dog is injured at the stadium will – like all other trainers across the country – be offered financial assistance via GBGB’s Injury Recovery Scheme. However, under the pilot scheme, in the event that any owner is still unable to afford veterinary and treatment costs, the greyhound will be transferred to the Greyhound Trust and will be treated by their veterinary charity partner. The greyhound will then be able to recover in a Trust foster home before entering a homing scheme once fully recovered.
The pilot scheme will be funded jointly between GBGB and Ladbrokes Coral Stadia, with a contribution expected from owners towards the veterinary costs.
The additional Injury Recovery Scheme is being trialled at Monmore for a 12-month period and will be monitored closely by GBGB, with a view to a national roll-out should this prove successful.
Duncan Gibson, GBGB Welfare and Integrity Manager, said:
“We strongly believe that, wherever possible, every greyhound should make a full recovery from any injury that has occurred on the track and go on to enjoy a long and happy retirement. We understand that some owners, for a variety of reasons, are occasionally put into a hugely difficult financial dilemma in the unfortunate situation that their racer is injured.
“We hope that this extension to our Injury Recovery Scheme will act as an additional safety net to further protect the greyhounds at the heart of our sport and eliminate any instances of unnecessary euthanasia. We are grateful to the Greyhound Trust to their commitment to extending the scheme and would like to thank them for their support.”
Paul Mason, Welfare Officer at Monmore Green Stadium, said:
“The welfare and safety of the greyhounds running at our track is absolutely paramount so we’re glad to be part of this important pilot scheme. We’re hoping that it will prove successful and have positive application at other stadiums across the country – we’re looking forward to reporting back its results to the wider industry.”
Lisa Morris-Tomkins, CEO of the Greyhound Trust, said:
“It was clear that the base line injury and retirement figures published in 2018 must be improved; it is unacceptable that any greyhound suitable for homing is euthanised. This is why the Greyhound Trust has committed to work with the GBGB to pilot a scheme which will reduce the number of injury related euthanasia. To ensure we do not detrimentally affect greyhounds on our waiting lists, we are collaborating with other suitable homing charities to assist with homing once rehabilitation is completed.”
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Post by BVADMIN on Jan 23, 2019 15:41:03 GMT
TAKEN FROM THE GREYHOUND STAR WEBSITE:: greyhoundstar.co.uk/welfare-directive-reminder-vets-tracks-trainers/?
WELFARE: DIRECTIVE REMINDER FOR VETS, TRACKS AND TRAINERS........Dr Simon Gower, the Veterinary Director of the GBGB, has reiterated a directive for vets, tracks and trainers in the Board’s drive to eliminate euthanasia on economic grounds. The directive (printed below), which was carried in the latest calendar, outlines the responsibilities of those involved in the welfare of greyhounds when injury occurs.
“This is nothing new but a reminder that vets, tracks and trainers need to be prepared for dealing with an emergency which cannot be stabilised at the track or be dealt with using basic first-aid at the kennels,” he said.
He continued: “The industry does need to address the issue of economic euthanasia and the GBGB Injury Recovery Scheme, which was launched in October at the Track Vet Training Day, offers owners and trainers financial assistance as an incentive to consider treating a dog injured in a race when, perhaps, euthanasia may appear to be an ‘easier’ or cheaper option.”
It is understood that, under the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ Code of Conduct, it is a requirement that all practising veterinary surgeons make adequate provision for emergency 24-hour care for their patients and that vets must adhere to this as a duty of care.
Dr Gower went on to say: “Establishing a good relationship with a veterinary practice local to the track would meet this obligation and provide the necessary back up so, when an emergency does occur, there is a quick and easy route to refer an injured greyhound. Track Welfare Officers will also hold the necessary information in case the Principal Veterinarian is being covered by their staff.”
Dr Gower was also keen to remind trainers that, as an obligation, under the Animal Welfare Act and the Rules of Racing that they are duty bound to be registered with a veterinary practice within a reasonable distance from their residential kennels to cater for emergencies that occur at home.
“As part of the GBGB Commitment to greyhound welfare, we must all ensure the health and welfare of greyhounds in our care. We also need to guarantee that every greyhound gets the correct treatment promptly, and that no injured greyhound that can be successfully treated and rehomed is ever put to sleep,” Dr Gower concluded.
Early indications are that there has been a positive response to the Injury Recovery Scheme and the hope is that this will reflect with a decline in economic euthanasia figures within the industry. It has yet to be announced when the GBGB will be releasing the next set of injury and euthanasia statistics.
The directive in full below;
Veterinary attendance at licensed race tracks is for the provision of immediate First-Aid treatment for greyhounds that sustain an injury while racing, as well as attending to the Duties of a Track Vet required at all race meetings.
The track veterinarian will provide pain relief and immediate First-Aid to an injured greyhound and ensure that any casualty is transported without unnecessary delay to a trainer’s regular veterinary surgeon or a local practice for further assessment/treatment.
The track veterinarian will issue a “First Aid Treatment, Written Direction and Transport Certificate” which will provide a provisional diagnosis of the nature of the injury, details of treatment given at the time of injury and instruction on the requirement for follow-up treatment within a specified timeframe.
This Certificate is a requirement for effective communication between veterinary professionals (as specified in the RCVS Guidelines) to facilitate handover of the patient, to ensure continuity of care and to safeguard the welfare of the injured greyhound.
Licensed trainers are reminded that they must be registered with a veterinary practice within a reasonable distance from their kennels for routine veterinary cover of greyhounds in their care and the provision of emergency out-of-hours services. It is not acceptable to transport emergency cases for treatment by the track veterinarian during race meetings. This often involves transport for longer distances and the veterinary facility at the race track may not be equipped to adequately provide for surgical cases requiring advanced emergency care. The movement of a sick greyhound to a racecourse is likely to cause unnecessary stress to the patient and constitutes a health risk to other dogs at the track. Dogs that are sick and require medical treatment should be taken to a veterinary surgery as close as possible to the trainer’s kennel without delay. It is the trainer’s responsibility to arrange for these cases to be seen without delay by a local practice.
Further, the track veterinarian is responsible for the welfare of all dogs at a race meeting and their primary focus is to attend to this duty. Dogs not racing or trialling at that meeting may not be brought to the race track unless for marking-up/registration.
Veterinary surgeons providing cover for race meetings are also reminded that they shall make arrangements with a practice local to the track to provide emergency back-up for referral of any greyhound that requires immediate advanced care and hospitalisation. Contact details for this emergency practice will be displayed in the vet’s room and also notified to the track management/Welfare Officer.
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Post by BVADMIN on Jan 23, 2019 17:23:47 GMT
TAKEN FROM TODAY'S RACING POST..
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Post by SALFORD GIRL on Jan 24, 2019 13:23:09 GMT
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Post by BVADMIN on Jan 24, 2019 22:36:58 GMT
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Post by BVADMIN on Jan 25, 2019 6:45:57 GMT
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Post by BVADMIN on Jan 25, 2019 7:47:18 GMT
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Post by BVADMIN on Jan 27, 2019 8:10:23 GMT
TAKEN FROM THE RACING POST SUNDAY 27/1/19::
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Post by BVADMIN on Jan 28, 2019 0:30:41 GMT
The Kevin Hutton-trained Dorotas Wildcat wowed the votersDerby champ Dorotas Wildcat is 2018 Greyhound of the Year....BY JOHN FORBES OF THE RACING POSTKEVIN HUTTON filled in some blanks on an impressive CV last year, and the trainer added another to the list of achievements at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London last night when Dorotas Wildcat was named 2018 Greyhound of the Year.
Hutton, who has many Category One victories to his credit as well as a hat-trick of Trainers’ Championship meeting successes, added Derby-winning trainer to his list of credits when his kennel star claimed the prize at Towcester in June.
The dog won four of his six races in the Classic and after an absence of more than four months successfully recommenced his campaign in the autumn, culminating in an unbeaten run through the Eclipse, a great tribute to the skills of Hutton and his assistant Donna Witchells.
When he topped the poll for Standard Racer of the Year ahead of King Turbo the destination of the coveted main award was inevitable, and he became the first Derby winner to be named Greyhound of the Year since Blonde Snapper in 2012.
Greyhound of the Year: 1 Dorotas Wildcat, 2 Bombers Bullet, 3 King Turbo
Bitch: 1 Donation, 2 Slippy Maggie, 3 Ravenswood Flo
Sprinter: 1 Calzaghe Flash, 2 Kilmore Lemon, 3 Affane Party
Standard: 1 Dorotas Wildcat, 2 King Turbo, 3 Droopys Verve
Stayer: 1 Bombers Bullet, 2 Calico Ranger, 3 Roxholme Poppy
Marathon: 1 Slippy Maggie, 2 Savana Winner, 3 Shotgun Bullet
Hurdler: 1 Lenson Wilson, 2 Parkers Dynamite, 3 Razldazl Raidio
British Bred: 1 King Turbo, 2 Geelo Monty, 3 King Elvis
Newcomer: 1 Rising Brandy, 2 Slippy Maggie, 3 Calzaghe Flash
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