|
Post by BVADMIN on May 19, 2020 17:05:51 GMT
|
|
|
Post by benny on May 19, 2020 18:55:11 GMT
ITS NOT LIKELY TO BE THE LAST ONE TO BE AFFECTED. JUST SHOWS WHAT EFFECT BAGS ETC HAS ON THE DOGS. seems tracks cannot survive without the big bookies firms.
|
|
|
Post by SALFORD GIRL on May 20, 2020 19:15:04 GMT
|
|
|
Post by BVADMIN on May 21, 2020 7:37:11 GMT
THURSDAY 21-5-20:::
GBGB MD Mark Bird is more than satisfied following the first three days of re-trialling following the Covid-10 lock down. All bar three of the tracks have now staged sessions, the exceptions being Poole, Shawfield and the recently closed, Peterborough.
Bird said, “Everyone has spent a tremendous amount of time getting things ready for us to start back racing as soon as possible; from getting the Operational Policy for trialling and racing compiled, to trainers, kennel hands and owners ensuring their racers are fit and ready for the track, and also for the racecourses and veterinary staff delivering this return.
“When we started trialling on Monday, we were delighted to see everyone doing their bit at tracks and demonstrating social distancing measures whilst still providing the same level of care and attention for their dogs.
“We are due to start racing from 1st June and I am confident that everyone will have demonstrated that we can race behind closed doors whilst still maintaining the highest welfare standards for our greyhounds and the safety of all our people working in a secure environment.”
|
|
|
Post by SALFORD GIRL on May 22, 2020 8:07:08 GMT
|
|
|
Post by BVADMIN on May 22, 2020 16:24:13 GMT
Mark Bird: "Specific digital platform deals are still being discussed between ARC, SIS and their bookmaker customers"..Greyhound Board 'optimistic' for a June 1 fixture list.. GBGB managing director Mark Bird “remains optimistic” that a fixture list for the proposed restart of racing on Monday, June 1 can be published next week despite protracted negotiations between media rights holders and bookmaker customers over funding.
A number of stakeholders, including owners and trainers, have voiced concern about the lack of definitive information as the week has progressed and requalifying trials taken place which Bird acknowledged.
Responding to social media queries as to whether greyhound racing will go ahead on June 1, he said: “Whilst the media rights aspects of UK greyhound racing sits between our licensed tracks and Arena Racing and SIS, and not the GBGB, nothing I have heard leads me to believe that racing will not commence, as planned, in a little over a week's time.
“I understand that specific digital platform deals are still being discussed between ARC, SIS and their bookmaker customers.
“I reiterate that UK greyhound racing remains a great bookmaking product with good margins, great welfare standards and high integrity.
“I remain optimistic that we should be in a position to publish racing fixtures sometime next week and in the meantime, trainers should continue to trial in their dogs at the majority of the tracks that are providing trial sessions on a Covid-19 secure basis."
One betting industry insider said: “The fantastic job the GBGB and tracks have done in getting trials sessions under way is certainly appreciated, but in parallel it looks increasingly uncertain that any commercial and financial arrangements can be reached in time to fund racing’s resumption with the betting shops remaining shut. The current consideration of other scenarios if those commercial arrangements fail to be put in place is never a good sign.”
|
|
|
Post by BVADMIN on May 23, 2020 12:21:20 GMT
SATURDAY 23-5-20 greyhoundstar.co.uk/gbgb-press-release-first-week-back/Tracks across the country are coming to the end of what has been a successful first week of trialling behind closed doors, following the temporary cessation of racing.
The trials process constitutes the first of five phases, as set out in GBGB’s COVID-19 Operational Policy. This week has therefore been an important step towards the sport demonstrating its readiness, in line with the government guidance, to move onto Phase Two – the resumption of behind closed doors racing – from 1st June.
In preparation for trialling, GBGB licensed racecourses have been putting in place a whole host of new measures and changes so that social distancing and hygiene levels can be maintained, whilst still prioritising greyhound welfare and integrity. To support this, GBGB’s field force of stipendiary and sampling stewards have been present at tracks to ensure the Operational Policy is fully understood and able to be implemented effectively.
An important part of the past week has also been establishing clear routes of communication and feedback, to highlight and address any issues that may arise through the implementation of the Policy. All those getting back to work for trials have been encouraged to raise any questions or concerns with the racecourse’s Compliance Management Officer (CMO) in the first instance, or with their area steward. Likewise, any welfare concerns can always be raised via GBGB’s confidential welfare hotline on 020 7822 0917.
Commenting on the return to trials, GBGB Senior Stipendiary Steward Paul Illingworth, said: “All in all, it has been a positive first week back and it is clear that racecourses have done a huge amount of work to ensure they are ‘Covid-secure’. We are very grateful for the way that everyone involved in the sport has played their part and helped to make the week run so safely and smoothly. The mood at racecourses really has been upbeat as trainers see their greyhounds get back to some exercise and enjoyment on the track.
“In preparing for trials and an eventual resumption of racing, we were always conscious that it would be an iterative process and would need regular review, feedback and monitoring. But what is fantastic to see is the Operational Policy in place and working well. Where there have been minor issues or areas of uncertainty, we have been able to pick these up quickly and ensure they are remedied.
“Nonetheless, whilst this week has been a successful one, at no point can we become complacent or rest on our laurels. I know that tracks are now turning their focus to refining these processes ahead of the more complex task of returning to racing. For some, this may mean using next week to host more mixed trial sessions so that, whilst still on a small scale, they can get used to the new social distancing procedures at loading and pick up.
“Getting back to racing safely is one step at a time but I am pleased that this initial week has been successful and I would like to thank everyone for helping make it so. The work being done now proves that, subject to any further government updates and the announcement of fixtures, tracks will have everything in place for races to restart from 1st June as planned.”
Peter Harnden, GBGB Trainers’ Director, said: “This has been a tough time for us all but my own dogs have certainly enjoyed getting back on the track this week. On a personal level, it has also been good to see some familiar faces again and know that everyone is safe and well, albeit from a safe distance. Of course, we all desperately want to see our dogs back racing as soon as possible but the most important thing is keeping everyone safe and healthy.
“From speaking to trainers, there is a lot of praise for all the safety measures the tracks have put in place and, while we all expect some teething issues, overall things seem to be going well. Now more than ever we all must work together to ensure that our sport can get back up and running again safely as soon as possible.”
John Coleman, GBGB’s Owners’ Director, said: “I know many owners will be thrilled this week that their dogs are getting back on the track for their exercise trials. The past two months have been very difficult for owners who have had to be patient as the infrastructure was put in place for a safe return to racing. Whilst racing remains behind closed doors, this patience will have to stretch even further, but with trials taking place I am pleased that we are moving in the right direction.
“We have all had to adapt during lockdown and I want to praise the hardworking trainers and kennel staff who have been doing a stellar effort keeping in touch with their owners in lieu of visits. There are evidently still challenges ahead, but I am confident that by working together as a sport, and listening to everyone’s voices, we can come out the other side even stronger.”
|
|
|
Post by SALFORD GIRL on May 23, 2020 16:53:00 GMT
TAKEN FROM THE RACING POST WEBSITE... Rachel Corden, Arc Greyhound Operations Director: 'very pleased'Arc publishes its June fixture list though Poole draws a blank... ARENA Racing Company (Arc) published a provisional fixture schedule on Saturday lunchtime for the recommencement of greyhound racing from June 1.
An Arc statement read: “Subject to the further lifting of national lockdown restrictions, which will see sporting and cultural events allowed to take place behind closed doors, a digital service of six fixtures Monday to Saturday and four on Sunday will be provided to bookmakers. This represents a total of 40 greyhound fixtures per week.
“Following a successful first week, trialling will continue at all of the tracks involved, to give the greyhounds the opportunity to return to full race fitness ahead of Monday, June 1.
“All tracks will operate behind closed doors throughout this time, with access on site strictly limited to the minimum number of people required to operate the fixture. In addition, a number of steps have been taken to ensure the safety of those on site.”
Rachel Corden, Arc's greyhound operations director, said, “We are very pleased to have put this schedule together with our Greyhound Media Group colleagues and Pelaw Grange.
“The suspension of racing has obviously been very difficult for everyone across the greyhound racing industry, but we hope that by getting back racing from Monday, June 1 and continuing to work closely with our partners in the bookmaking industry, we will be able to start the process of getting back on our feet.
“We are confident in our ability to operate safely behind closed doors in line with phase two of the GBGB operational plan”.
The Arc schedule represents an increase of nine meetings (seven if RPGTV-only fixtures are included) on the last full week's racing beginning March 16 with the main difference being an addition second afternoon meeting each day except Sunday with Kinsley, Newcastle, Nottingham (twice), Perry Barr and Yarmouth all hosting.
Poole, which is yet to restart trials, does not feature with operator Gaming International's George Edwards writing to trainers yesterday offering the opportunity to race at Swindon instead.
Edwards wrote: “Due to the financial arrangements during this initial period of racing behind closed doors we are unable to operate racing in Poole.
“We have planned for and will provide facilities for Poole greyhounds to race at Swindon where we have secured additional fixtures and have capacity.
“As we know, Poole relies on its evening business to be able to operate profitably, albeit marginally, and we need to be able to secure sufficient revenue from operating behind closed doors to be able to open for business.
“Our hope is that during June we will see a level of appetite for greyhound racing from the off-course on-line betting operators and public together with progress in the government's moves towards easing the restrictions on public gatherings.
“We very much regret that we are unable to start racing at Poole on June 1 but we are just unable to sustain the losses that this would incur.”
Although the Arc schedule includes evening meetings which would normally feature on RPGTV, chairman and chief executive Kevan Moretti did sound a note of caution regarding the channel restarting whilst welcoming the Arc announcement.
Moretti said: “It's fantastic news, we look forward to working with both Arc & SiS in the coming week to get RPGTV back on air on June 1.
“I must emphasise, though, that we do not have complete certainty at this time. We hope that can be achieved next week.”
Like Arc, SiS has been in negotiations with bookmakers over the funding model for a return of greyhound racing given that betting shops, usually the main customer for the product, will remain closed for at least another month.
It is understood that tracks on the SIS service were informed on Friday about what fixtures they could expect should agreement be reached but Paul Witten, SIS commercial director, said: “We anticipate publishing our schedule early next week.”
|
|
|
Post by SALFORD GIRL on May 23, 2020 16:55:16 GMT
TAKEN FROM THE RACING POST WEBSITE:::: Paul Illingworth: Pleased by work behind the scenes to ensure safetySuccessful past week bodes well... GBGB senior stipendiary steward Paul Illingworth has praised the “huge amount” of work put in by tracks to allow the first week of requalifying trials to take place ahead of the June return to racing.
The trials process constitutes the first of five phases, as set out in GBGB’s Covid-19 operational policy with week one regarded as an important step towards the sport demonstrating its readiness, in line with the government guidance, to move onto phase two which is the resumption of behind closed doors racing.
In preparation for trialling, tracks put in place a whole host of new measures and changes so that social distancing and hygiene levels could be maintained with the GBGB’s field force of stipendiary and sampling stewards present at tracks to ensure the operational policy is fully understood and able to be implemented effectively.
Commenting on the return to trials, Illingworth, said: “All in all, it has been a positive first week back and it is clear that racecourses have done a huge amount of work to ensure they are ‘Covid-secure’.
“We are very grateful for the way that everyone involved in the sport has played their part and helped to make the week run so safely and smoothly. The mood at racecourses really has been upbeat as trainers see their greyhounds get back to some exercise and enjoyment on the track.
“In preparing for trials and an eventual resumption of racing, we were always conscious that it would be an iterative process and would need regular review, feedback and monitoring.
“But what is fantastic to see is the operational policy in place and working well. Where there have been minor issues or areas of uncertainty, we have been able to pick these up quickly and ensure they are remedied.
“Nonetheless, whilst this week has been a successful one, at no point can we become complacent or rest on our laurels.
“I know that tracks are now turning their focus to refining these processes ahead of the more complex task of returning to racing.
“For some, this may mean using next week to host more mixed trial sessions so that, whilst still on a small scale, they can get used to the new social distancing procedures at loading and pick-up.
“Getting back to racing safely is one step at a time but I am pleased that this initial week has been successful and I would like to thank everyone for helping make it so.
“The work being done now proves that, subject to any further government updates and the announcement of fixtures, tracks will have everything in place for races to restart from June 1 as planned.”
Peter Harnden, GBGB trainers’ director, said: “This has been a tough time for us all but my own dogs have certainly enjoyed getting back on the track this week.
“On a personal level, it has also been good to see some familiar faces again and know that everyone is safe and well, albeit from a safe distance.
“Of course, we all desperately want to see our dogs back racing as soon as possible but the most important thing is keeping everyone safe and healthy.
“From speaking to trainers, there is a lot of praise for all the safety measures the tracks have put in place and, while we all expect some teething issues, overall things seem to be going well.
“Now more than ever we all must work together to ensure that our sport can get back up and running again safely as soon as possible.”
John Coleman, GBGB’s owners' director, said: “I know many owners will be thrilled this week that their dogs are getting back on the track for their exercise trials.
“The past two months have been very difficult for owners who have had to be patient as the infrastructure was put in place for a safe return to racing.
“Whilst racing remains behind closed doors, this patience will have to stretch even further, but with trials taking place I am pleased that we are moving in the right direction.
“We have all had to adapt during lockdown and I want to praise the hard working trainers and kennel staff who have been doing a stellar effort keeping in touch with their owners in lieu of visits. There are evidently still challenges ahead, but I am confident that by working together as a sport, and listening to everyone’s voices, we can come out the other side even stronger.”
All those getting back to work for trials have been encouraged to raise any questions or concerns with the racecourse’s compliance management officer (CMO) in the first instance, or with their area steward.
Likewise, any welfare concerns can always be raised via GBGB’s confidential welfare hotline on 020 7822 0917.
*Mark Bird, GBGB MD, appears on Racing TV's Luck On Sunday show on Sunday morning to discuss greyhound racing's return.
|
|
|
Post by BVADMIN on May 23, 2020 22:14:15 GMT
*** PLEASE NOTE ** Mark Bird, GBGB MD, appears on Racing TV's Luck On Sunday show on Sunday morning to discuss greyhound racing's return.
|
|