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Post by BVADMIN on Oct 20, 2019 21:26:24 GMT
Julie Collier introduces the action on Friday night..
Live RPGTV schedule for the week ahead.....All 6pm startMonday 21st: Nottingham & Yarmouth In the studio: Jason Barrasford, Dave Clark & Barry Orr. Jonathan Hobbs reports from Nottingham on the British Breeders Stakes final.
Tuesday 22nd: Poole & Sheffield In the studio: Errol Blyth, Jonathan Hobbs & Poole trainer Patrick Godfrey
Wednesday 23rd: Peterborough & Sunderland In the studio: Tanya Stevenson, Tony Bullen & enthusiast Michael Monan
Thursday 24th: Newcastle & Yarmouth In the studio: Darrell Williams, Rose Draper & owner Gordon Sutherland. Jonathan Kay reports from Newcastle on the All England Cup final gala card.
Friday 25th: Nottingham & Romford In the studio: Julie Collier, Richard Harkness & owner Kevin Dear
Saturday 26th: Crayford & Sheffield In the studio: Ian Meek, Rose Draper & Crayford trainer Jim Daly
Sunday 27th: Central Park & Poole In the studio: Rachel Casey, Ali Brown & former trainer Tony Johnston.....
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Post by BVADMIN on Oct 21, 2019 18:16:13 GMT
Arc news welcome, Derby dates a headache. Qatar offers relief ahead....BY JIM CREMIN OF THE RACING POSTNEWS that Arena Racing Company has expanded to take over the leases of Belle Vue and Perry Barr has to be seen as good news for all involved with both tracks and the sport in general.
There are no guarantees but its previous operators, the inheritors of the original GRA which started British greyhound racing in Manchester in 1926, have been in relentless decline since a property gamble tanked in 1975.
The sport as a whole has been in a downward spiral since. However, the acquisition by a promoter of 16 horse racecourses plus Newcastle and Sunderland greyhounds suggests there is no end in sight to the media rights war between Arc and SIS.
Both companies are vibrant operations repositioning themselves given the modern-day closures of betting shops across Britain and Ireland. You would like to think the city council planners considering a scheme to put houses onto Belle Vue would be impressed by Arcās arrival.
The GRA used to also promote the Derby at White City and then Wimbledon, while Arc are of course co-sponsors of what is starting to look like its new home of Nottingham.
At the launch of the 2019 Irish Leger on Thursday, backed by the Friends of Limerick Greyhound Stadium group, I was pressed by one of many present as to my view of a Central Park Derby. This is simple. Central Park had delivered what has only felt like enthusiastic hot air, Nottingham got on with rescuing the event.
Another topic was, given the enforced earlier dates for a 2020 Nottingham Derby, what that might mean for the wonderful Kirby Memorial, the worldās richest juvenile event sponsored by the McManus family at Limerick.
This would be expected to finish on or around Easter Saturday, while next yearās Star Sports, Arc and LPS Derby starts the night before, Good Friday. This is due to several frustrating clashes, including the UEFA Champions League final being scheduled for Saturday, May 30 ā which was Nottinghamās original first choice for its final. Now, of course, two weeks prior.
The Kirby dates will be studied carefully by the IGB, but even if a clash proves unavoidable the good news is that we have will have three clear years ahead afterwards.
English Derbys in 2021, 2022 and 2023 will all take place through June because footballās 2022 World Cup has to be in the winter. That incomprehensible decision to take the event to Qatar gives one unexpected benefit.
There is plenty of other juggling to be done with the British schedule, but the fact is football rules.
Nottingham plus points are senior Romford figure Peter OāDowd has agreed to return and assist the Derby seeding committee, while the new dates at least mean one fewer Friday nightmare journey than this year. There are also more pre-Derby trials planned on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
OTHER compelling messages from Limerickās Leger launch came from IGB chairman Frank Nyhan, who spoke of the āstrength in unityā. Corona Ryan, a local breeder and part of the Limerick committee added: āWeāre fighting for what we love.ā The contrast was clear at Cork on Saturday before a thrilling Laurels final where the antis outside are fighting against what they hate.
Given the impact of the RTE programme on some sponsors, any thought that the antis were close to some sort of victory were eased by the grass roots support for the Laurels, whose separate Cork committee was led by GAA legend Jimmy Barry Murphy, guaranteed there for a further three years and now being mirrored at Limerick.
Things do need to end on an upbeat note because Irelandās Indecon report has been pushed back to the end of November ā some five or six Irish tracks are feared to be under close scrutiny. A deadly quiet Shelbourne on Friday for the Juvenile Derby final underlined why caution is required about current trading.
It is recognised that the hangover from the RTE nightmare needs time for a Cork-led revival to take effect. The greyhounds are doing their part. Everyone went home buzzing from Curraheen.
*The Friends of Limerick Greyhound Stadium Irish St Leger is for 72 runners @ ā¬60 each.
550 yards Limerick Entries close Monday October 28 at 12 noon First round: Saturday November 2 Second round: Saturday November 9 Semis: Saturday November 16 Final: Saturday November 23. Winner ā¬30,000
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Post by BVADMIN on Oct 23, 2019 5:07:54 GMT
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Post by SALFORD GIRL on Oct 28, 2019 8:46:52 GMT
Dave Clark reports live from Crayford's Gold Collar card on Saturday
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Post by BVADMIN on Oct 28, 2019 21:21:02 GMT
Squabbles must not get in the way of progress..................BY JONATHAN KAY OF THE RACING POSTGREYHOUND racing can seem to be in a permanent state of crisis management with the stretched GBGB forced to battle on many fronts just to ensure the sportās survival.
Most important is the work done to ensure that self-regulation is maintained in terms of welfare standards as, should local authorities find that coming under their remit, the pressure on individual councils from those who oppose greyhound racing on a matter of principle rather than hard facts will become unbearable for some.
That is why Shawfield is looking increasingly exposed as Scotlandās only licensed track with the devolved Holyrood parliament being lobbied by activists to ban the sport.
As far as the rest of the GBGB-licenced tracks are concerned, the governing body is engaging with sensible welfare groups and listening to government while taking an increasingly bullish approach to what it aims to achieve.
It is vital greyhound racing remains united when it comes to welfare, not only in terms of everyone signing up to the same high standards which are rightfully expected, but also in how the sport as a whole reacts to various challenges.
The recent spat about Batterseaās use of the term ārescueā in an ad campaign which featured a greyhound among many other breeds has been an unnecessary and unwelcome distraction.
Rescue is an emotive word for many with its connotation that our magnificent canine athletes are abandoned at the end of their careers and in need of rescuing, but it is a term which Battersea finds works well in terms of general public reaction.
The advert was always going to be made and a greyhound very probably included irrespective of some peopleās sensibilities and should be seen in that light. If even one extra home for an ex-racer is found as a result, then that has to be a good thing.
However, Batterseaās subsequent website line about an ex-racer being āin need of new owners who will appreciate him and love him as a pet dog, as opposed to thinking of him as just another dog to make quick money at the trackā was plain wrong, and acknowledged as such by deputy chief executive Peter Laurie, who also went on to note the progress being made by the GBGB in terms of welfare while warning there is plenty more to be done.
The introduction of standards for all licenced kennels will mark a major step forward although it may also hasten the demise of the relatively recently introduced owner-trainer licence.
That allows greyhounds to be kept in the home rather than in a kennel with the logic being that if such buildings have to adhere to certain rules then it is incongruous to have none for some greyhounds.
Even our most ardent supporter could not deny that some kennels are not fit for purpose and need improving so it is good that much time has been taken in coming up with a set of guidelines in conjunction with welfare bodies.
How much better will the situation be whereby questions about the conditions dogs are being kept in can be addressed by stressing the standards that have to be met?
However, the demonising of some kennels from within the sport has had a detrimental impact on the image of the sport to the outside world with an impression given that greyhounds are basically abandoned in them.
It may be anathema to some, but greyhounds are generally happy in the routine of kennel life providing they are properly fed, watered, kept warm and allowed time to stretch their legs and do their business.
Yes, they do make great pets and look great stretched out in front of a fire at home ā but being in a well-run racing kennels is not some poor second choice for them.
Greyhound racing is challenging the prejudices many hold and facts will always win out over emotion.
Those who oppose the sport for irrational reasons, by and large because they cannot countenance the gambling element which underpins it, will become more and more desperate in their claims of wrongdoing and malpractice.
Anyone giving them ammunition needs to be rooted out and dealt with in the strongest way, but it is also vital that the sport sticks together and is not sidetracked by internal squabbles.
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Post by BVADMIN on Nov 4, 2019 9:43:59 GMT
Hove's new racing manager Daniel Rankin is Wednesday's studio guestLive RPGTV schedule for the week ahead......All 6pm start except Saturday 7pmMonday 4th: Nottingham & Yarmouth In the studio: Phil Donaldson, Jonathan Hobbs & former odds compiler Scott Murray
Tuesday 5th: Poole & Sheffield In the studio: Jason Barrasford, Ali Brown & kennelhand Kieran Adams
Wednesday 6th: Peterborough & Sunderland In the studio: Jason Barrasford, Kaan Hughes & Hove racing manager Daniel Rankin
Thursday 7th: Newcastle & Yarmouth In the studio: Tanya Stevenson, Tony Bullen & Newcastle trainer Steve Anderson
Friday 8th: Nottingham & Romford In the studio: Julie Collier, Dave Clark & syndicate organiser Jim Parker
Saturday 9th: Crayford & Perry Barr In the studio: Errol Blyth, Rose Draper & Crayford racing manager Danny Rayment
Sunday 10th: Central Park & Poole In the studio: Darrell Williams, Richard Harkness & owner Mick Gollogly
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Post by BVADMIN on Nov 10, 2019 0:24:19 GMT
Time is right for the sport to put on a show.....BY GBGB TRAINER MARK WALLISSINCE my last column our kennelsā fortunes have risen with some more big-race wins and our season, which after six or seven months was moderate by our standards, is on the brink of being a very good one.
This is testament to the hard work put in by all at Imperial Kennels with the support of our loyal owners and, of course, some top canine talent emerging at the right time.
What would please me as much would also be to see the fortunes of the sport change for the better in the near future. We have had some real plus points this year with the development of Romford and upgrade to Hove and the man behind that, Ian Smyth ā a strong candidate for the Services to the Greyhound Industry award in my opinion ā promises to make improvements to Monmore & Crayford as well in 2020.
The sale of the GRA tracks to the Arc group means the cloud over Belle Vue has lifted for a while, plus Sheffieldās big redevelopment is almost done. It all feels as though the decline in the sport reached rock-bottom at the end of 2018, and the good news is still coming, with Towcester reopening next March.
Many will say it might be another false dawn, but with promoter Kevin Boothby at the helm we have a man who gets things done and Iām looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the table with top-class facilities at his hand.
All too often we sometimes forget the dogs are the stars, but since the loss of the Sky coverage hardly anyone outside the greyhound world would know the Derby winner or for that matter any group winner this year. Thatās something we must change.
Iām sure one of the reasons we donāt get more national media attention is because of an uninspiring welfare record. That has improved dramatically under Mark Birdās leadership at the GBGB, so now seems the right time to try to get the word out to the general public.
Maybe it might be a mistake to run before we can walk, but Towcester gives the chance to project our image, so why canāt the whole industry get behind Boothbyās project?
Once a month I would love to see a top-class Saturday night meeting with a Ā£5,000 or Ā£10,000 final the focal point plus a strong supporting card to provide that Shelbourne-on-a-Saturday-night feel.
On such nights we could advertise the meetings in the mainstream papers with vouchers to attend, use social media with videos of races showing the dogs involved in the finals and generally promote everything to the full.
We could reward the stars on the tracks who do well through the year with owners getting a yearly prize on a points-based system, make sure of trade stands for the major retired homefinding schemes, and in general add some razzmatazz.
I feel the sport is ready to stick its head back above the parapet and say we are not in decline, look at what we are doing, and show everything that makes it such a buzz.
I asked a question this year as to why we canāt renew the popular Track Championship and was told the two rival media groups ā Arc and SIS ā would not agree to working together. So why couldnāt each group hold its own championship with the winners of each clashing in a two-legged home-and-away final?
Away from the track, one thing that would most certainly increase the sportās fortunes is to see those industry injury and fatality figures for 2019 show a dramatic improvement when they are released next year.
As a sport, to be seen by the general public as whiter-than-white we must have zero tolerance on fit and healthy greyhounds being put to sleep due to economic reasons.
Of course with way more than 50,000 races a year across our sport there will always be accidents and the odd fatality, but why shoot ourselves in the foot when a trainer puts a dog down needlessly instead of waiting to go through the proper rehoming schemes?
Despite a considerable wait at times, it is the right thing to do. Naturally, as with everything, some extra money needs to be thrown into the pot to make things happen. A small ownersā bond at the point of registration could do the trick. We just need the will to be there to do it.
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Post by BVADMIN on Nov 12, 2019 15:21:53 GMT
Errol Blyth will be reporting live from the RPGTV St Leger final on Saturday
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Post by SALFORD GIRL on Nov 18, 2019 16:10:06 GMT
Former trainer Carly Philpott is Saturday's studio guest
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Post by BVADMIN on Nov 24, 2019 23:05:38 GMT
Analyst Rose Draper is in the RPGTV studio on Wednesday nightLive RPGTV schedule for the week ahead......All 6pm start except Saturday 7pmMonday 25th: Nottingham & Yarmouth In the studio: Darrell Williams and Kaan Hughes
Tuesday 26th: Poole & Sheffield In the studio: Rachel Casey, Jonathan Hobbs & Sheffield owner/expert Rob Crawford
Wednesday 27th: Peterborough & Sunderland In the studio: Errol Blyth, Rose Draper & punter Gary Mehegan
Thursday 28th: Newcastle & Yarmouth In the studio: Jason Barrasford, Richard Harkness & former Betting Shop Manager of the Year Ron Hearn
Friday 29th: Nottingham & Romford In the studio: Ian Meek, Ali Brown & Hove deputy racing manager Rob Abrey
Saturday 30th: Crayford & Sheffield In the studio: Tanya Stevenson, Dave Clark & Kelly Devereaux, assistant to trainer husband Tommy Batchelor who is shortly to join Crayford
Sunday 1st: Central Park & Poole In the studio: Julie Collier & Kaan Hughes
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