☀️ THE RPGTV SHOW IN 2020 ☀️

[SALFORD GIRL]

Arc move to prove a divine decision.....

BY MR JIM CREMIN


SO finally we know. God IS a woman. You can imagine the Ariana Grande hit of that title being played as Rachel Corden, the new Greyhound Operations Director (God) for the Arena Racing Company (Arc), strides out to any platform.

Most people were stunned at Arc’s takeover and appointment, news of which broke at 6pm on Friday night.

My initial reaction was to congratulate her. The acquisition of Nottingham by Arc now puts five tracks under their (and her) control. Given they include the rump of the old Greyhound Racing Association, it returns a non-bookmaker owned bloc as being the biggest operator again in the UK.

Unlike Clive Feltham, now retired MD of the GRA, Corden is significantly different. Feltham was purely a businessman, the fact he ‘ran’ greyhound racing felt incidental. Corden has grown up in greyhound racing and loves the sport, particularly the welfare side.

She has always been empathetic with her staff and trainers, although because plain-spoken, cuts a formidably controversial figure too. Like most of us who came through a traditional racing and management schooling, integrity and setting standards are core. Some might bristle, but it’s what running a gambling business requires.

Corden has always stood out as an ideas person and this role can unleash her. Arc is a bigger stage that frankly lacked a proper sense of greyhound direction compared to its bitter rival SIS – where Gordon Bissett put together a successful offering which has worked both for the betting industry and internationally.

It will be intriguing to see what happens when track rights contracts come up for renewal over the next few years. Will SIS still have the resources to maintain currently above average payments? That surely depends on future numbers of betting shops. Every closure in the meantime is a negative.

If Arc, with its deep pockets, then makes a power play to attract to some of the SIS jewels to The Racing Partnership – for instance the four Ladbrokes/Coral tracks – you wonder if this might prove bad news for some of the other SIS courses. It’s complicated and uncertain.

At some stage the irrational, wasteful nature of two rival services, SIS and TRP, must get addressed, although that’s unlikely until a long-running and bitter court case between the pair finally completes a tortuous appeal course. Antipathy is deep, but it will eventually get solved.

We currently have 21 tracks, Ladbrokes/Coral have four, Arc five. So if/when Bill Glass (Swindon/Poole) votes with them, an automatic majority seems in place at the promoters’ association.

Another important element of Friday’s deal is that Arc, previously co-Derby sponsor, is now actually staging it. That takes the commercial pressure off Nottingham. A successful Derby is core to the health of our entire industry but it’s a lot for any single track to take on. Marketing resources alone will be significantly boosted.

Of course Belle Vue fans want their new God to help save the development-threatened track. Arc only took over that lease along with Perry Barr from the GRA last October and don’t seem to have said much since.

Mick Hardy, Belle Vue’s long-serving general manager, has won plaudits for trying hard. More resources and an effort to buy the track outright would be welcome – it’s a sleeping giant. Corden is bound to look at the possibility, but everyone does need to let her get her feet under her Arc desk.

Her brother Nathan, once an Arc man at Southwell and Wolverhampton horse tracks, remains a key part of the Nottingham team so at least knows the new landscape well.

What is definite is Friday’s announcement secures the future for Nottingham’s staff and trainers. You can imagine the Corden siblings afterwards raising a glass to the memory of their late father Terry – which is why they decided to take on the Derby in the first place. Terry loved ‘the world’s greatest race’.

Given the experience of last year and the wise decision to update their 500m starting traps’ opening mechanism, the 2020 edition is set to be a cracker. It closes to entries just five weeks tomorrow. I have my Simply The Best CD ready!

[BVADMIN]

Errol Blyth reports live from Sheffield on Saturday night


Live RPGTV schedule for the week ahead....


Sky Channel 175.

All 6pm start


Monday 2nd: Nottingham & Yarmouth
In the studio: Rachel Casey, Tony Bullen & trainer Luke Morrison

Tuesday 3rd: Poole & Sheffield
In the studio: Jason Barrasford, Richard Harkness & kennelhand of the year Hannah Prince

Wednesday 4th: Peterborough & Sunderland
In the studio: Ian Meek, Kaan Hughes & Pelaw Grange racing manager Dave Gray

Thursday 5th: Newcastle & Yarmouth
In the studio: Tanya Stevenson, Dave Clark & Newcastle expert Lewis Clark

Friday 6th: Nottingham & Romford
In the studio: Julie Collier, Jonathan Hobbs & Romford expert Rob Abrey

Saturday 7th: Crayford & Sheffield
In the studio: Phil Donaldson, Richard Harkness
& GBGB senior stipendiary steward Paul Illingworth.
Errol Blyth at Sheffield for the RPGTV Steel City Cup heats.

Sunday 8th: Central Park & Poole
In the studio: Darrell Williams & Ali Brown...

[SALFORD GIRL]

GBGB showing it means business on welfare....


BY MARK BIRD


LAST week saw the launch of the British Horseracing Authority’s five-year strategic plan for horse welfare, which led me to reflect on the positive changes that have been made since the introduction of our own sport’s welfare agenda, the Greyhound Commitment, almost two years ago.

Since its launch it has been hugely reassuring to see all corners of our sport embrace the Commitment. For those unfamiliar with it, it is structured around eight non-negotiable key ‘Commitments’.

They take in a series of initiatives which GBGB, as regulator, is leading on and are updated annually to reflect the progress we have made. They are a moveable feast, to include new topics or issues we want to see improved upon.

It is only by demonstrating and communicating our world-class welfare standards that our sport can remain relevant and attractive to new audiences.

This year marks an exciting step forward as we continue to deliver on our Commitment, with three major projects rolling out. Firstly, this week we are pleased to announce our new licensing procedures for residential kennels.

From March 2020, all residential kennels will be subject to an independent inspection as part of GBGB’s own Ukas accreditation, which until now has only covered the licensing of racecourses. This means that for the first time our residential kennels will be externally audited.

While the inspections themselves will be familiar to trainers, their being conducted by external auditors represents a step-change in our sport.

It demonstrates our commitment to transparency and willingness to let independent experts pass judgement over our welfare standards. Trainers who adhere to current guidelines and rules have nothing to fear from these new inspections and should welcome the external validation.

To support this new inspection, we have also published our new Code of Practice for residential licensed kennels. Compiled by veterinary experts and industry specialists alongside animal welfare partners, it is the blueprint for providing the best care for greyhounds.

A copy of it has been sent to every trainer and I cannot emphasise enough how important it is that all trainers and their staff take the time to read it.

It should take nothing away from how trainers train their greyhounds, but rather the Code should be the go-to document for trainers and their staff as to the care and welfare needs of their greyhounds.

It brings together for the first time the wealth of knowledge and expertise that exists across the sport in caring for greyhounds throughout all stages of their lives.

While GBGB’s regulatory powers are book-ended by the registration and retirement of racing greyhounds, our Commitment clearly demonstrates our focus on a whole-life approach to greyhound care, which brings me on to our third major project for 2020.

One of our main ambitions in the Commitment is to ensure every racer, wherever possible, goes on to enjoy a long and happy retirement. I am therefore pleased we will shortly be able to provide further information about the Greyhound Retirement Scheme.

This scheme, which will attach a financial bond to every greyhound at the point of registration, aims to promote responsible ownership. With GBGB and promoters backing the financial contribution of owners, we are putting our money where our mouths are.

I am excited about what the next few months hold for our sport. Of course, as with any new scheme there will be teething issues, but I am confident these three new initiatives will bring about significant change in our sport and prove wrong those who allege we do not prioritise welfare.

Like the Horse Welfare Board, we believe in actions not words and these projects, which are the result of a huge amount of work by many across the industry, show we mean business when it comes to greyhound welfare.

[BVADMIN]

[SALFORD GIRL]

Julie Collier reports live from Romford's Golden Sprint final gala on Friday


Live RPGTV schedule for the week ahead...


Sky Channel 175

all 6pm start


Monday 9th: Nottingham & Yarmouth
In the studio: Jason Barrasford, Jonathan Hobbs & open-race expert Scott Murray

Tuesday 10th: Poole & Sheffield
In the studio: Julie Collier, Rose Draper & Ria Tillett from the Golden Jacket-winning kennel of Patrick Janssens

Wednesday 11th: Peterborough & Sunderland
In the studio: Phil Donaldson, Jonathan Kay & punter Gary Mehegan

Thursday 12th: Newcastle & Yarmouth
In the studio: Darrell Williams, Richard Harkness & Craig Morris, assistant to leading trainer Hayley Keightley

Friday 13th: Nottingham & Romford
In the studio: Errol Blyth & Tony Bullen, Julie Collier at Romford for the Golden Sprint final

Saturday 14th: Crayford & Sheffield
In the studio: Tanya Stevenson, Rose Draper & former trainer Carly Philpott

Sunday 15th: Central Park & Poole
In the studio: Ian Meek & Kaan Hughes

[SALFORD GIRL]

Kennel visits must go beyond the cosmetic.....





BY JULIE COLLIER


I SPENT last week travelling the north, firstly at the kennels of Robert Holt reacquainting myself with Trickys Dumbo. I love this dog and he’s my first ante-post Derby bet.

If he comes back anywhere near what he was before he went to Shelbourne Park for the Irish Derby, he is surely a contender. His trial back last Monday was promising and he goes round again tonight.

Two Saturday’s ago I was at Sheffield for the RPGTV Juvenile. What a privilege it was to see Ice On Fire in action. In the kennels I couldn’t believe how tall, bulky and strong he looked, weighing in at almost 37 kilos.

I watched the race from the middle of the track and had to pinch myself because it looked like a handicap contest. As the lids opened, the dog affectionately known as Duke in the kennel had at least a length start on his rivals and that despite trap one not being his ideal box.

He has really captured everyone’s imagination, as was evident by the number of people taking their chance to get his photo on the podium afterwards. He is good for the sport and I hope when it comes to the Derby we can somehow try to capitalise on him in the wider media.

Monday and Tuesday I visited two kennels for RPGTV. First I went north to see Tom Heilbron. He’s built his kennels from scratch and is a young man full of enthusiasm and ambition. He’s a perfectionist and I hope when people see the feature, if they’re in that part of the world they’ll give him a chance with some decent dogs. He deserves a crack at the open scene.

I also went to the kennels of Sheffield trainer John Sharp, which has got me thinking. I’ll be honest, as I pulled up I feared the worst. A slightly ramshackle kennel on a hill on a miserable rainy day . . . it didn’t look great. But I couldn’t have been more wrong. John and his wife Dawn dedicate their entire lives to caring for their dogs and, as I discussed with John, looking after them well isn’t rocket science.

Neither does it require five-star facilities. You have to delve deeper. As at Kevin Hutton’s, John’s dogs are all kennelled on duvets. The heating was high, and it was so warm and snuggly in there that I even lay down with a couple of dogs for an afternoon nap.

His self-built paddocks have an undercover sand area so there is no need for dogs to get muddy or wet in the awful weather we have had. They have a nice grass run out the back when it’s dry plus a huge six-acre field to stretch their legs in. Seeing the dogs run around there was a joy.

Feeding wise, they get loads of meat, fresh vegetables and John even had a whole container which he called the ‘treat room’ full of goodies – bones, tripe sticks, pigs ears and black pudding sausages.

I could barely get two minutes to chat to John as he was constantly putting his dogs in and out of the paddocks. A routine that happens from 6am till 9pm daily (the paddocks are all floodlit).

Add to all this some smaller touches like daily walks (definitely no walking machines), plenty of cuddles and attention and you have a happy bunch of hounds. It isn’t difficult. It does take time and a lot of dedication. But being warm, comfortable, eating well, being able to exercise and go to the toilet regularly and receive lots of love is what all greyhounds are entitled to.

Chatting to GBGB stipendiary steward Dave Baldwin over the weekend, he agreed we are at a crossroads now when it comes to kennel standards and the sport could be in for a big shake-up.

All our racecourses are UKAS accredited and now the GBGB have sent a letter to all trainers explaining that their kennels will be inspected annually by independent auditors, NSF International, in a bid to extend its UKAS accreditation and “help to demonstrate how they (GBGB) uphold the very highest welfare standards”.

My point is, I hope the new inspections are based on the basic needs of the dogs, rather than the quality of the bricks and mortar.

My final stop took me back down to Kent where Rab McNair summed it up when he said: “You do the dogs, or you have a life.” And seeing such happy hounds makes my heart sing. It’s been a great week.

[BVADMIN]

RACING POST GREYHOUND TV

ON 'YOUTUBE'


www.youtube.com/c/RPGTV2

[BVADMIN]

Sunderland and Newcastle commentator Mark Cranston guests on Wednesday and Thursday


Live RPGTV schedule for the week ahead..


Sky Channel 175, Freesat Channel 176.
All 6pm start


Monday 16th: Nottingham & Yarmouth
In the studio: Darrell Williams, Jonathan Hobbs & Pat Cooney

Tuesday 17th: Poole & Sheffield
In the studio: Tanya Stevenson, Ali Brown plus owners Billy Boyle & darts manager Will Lazar

Wednesday 18th: Peterborough & Sunderland
In the studio: Julie Collier, Kaan Hughes & commentator Mark Cranston

Thursday 19th: Newcastle & Yarmouth
In the studio: Ian Meek, Dave Clark & commentator Mark Cranston

Friday 20th: Nottingham & Romford
In the studio: Errol Blyth, Rose Draper & trainer Nathan Hunt

Saturday 21st: Crayford & Sheffield
In the studio: Jason Barrasford, Richard Harkness & Donna Coney, daughter of Crayford trainer Jim Reynolds

Sunday 22nd: Central Park & Poole
In the studio: Rachel Casey & Tony Bullen...........

[BVADMIN]

TAKEN FROM RACING POST 'TWITTER' FEED:::

MONDAY 16-3-20::::





GBGB managing director Mr Mark Bird will be live on RPGTV at the start of this evening's programme
to discuss the impact of coronavirus and other matters.....

[BVADMIN]

Hopes now on the slide for early Derby...


BY JIM CREMIN.
16-3-20:::::


EERILY quiet scenes in a shutdown Irish Republic contrasted last week with a vibrant finale to the Cheltenham Festival some 250 miles away.

A mixture of both pious and legitimate concern subsequently became increasingly evident.

Even so, betting shops reported a significant jump in stake per slip. Punters were betting as if the end of the world was indeed nigh as speculation mounted that the position in Britain will change to match that of Ireland.

Sandra Gilmartin, the reigning Manager of the Year, said from her Coventry Paddy Power shop: “It was a great atmosphere, although coupled with uncertainty.”

Lorraine Archibald, who took the title previously from Ladbrokes, Newtownards, County Down, said: “It’s been busier than last year.”
Ron Hearn, another previous champion from Jennings Bet, Charlton, agreed, adding: “We’re now hoping the industry doesn’t suffer too much. On the greyhound front I’m looking forward to this year’s Derby and hoping to enjoy a fantastic competition.”

He may be disappointed. There is differing expert opinion but the certainty of the massive social challenge of coronavirus facing everyone sadly overshadows an otherwise looming closing date for the Star Sports, Arc and LPS Derby at Nottingham.

Turmoil surrounds the entire sporting calendar and, given the likelihood that the Euro 2020 finals will get postponed, you can understand Muttley’s prediction on Saturday of a possible push back for the premier Classic into its former slot and a final perhaps at the end of June.

Yet a Derby behind closed doors or with restricted crowds is commercially challenging – for instance co-sponsor Ben Keith sets great emphasis on his Star Sports pitch.

The only certainty of coronavirus is that it’s an unpredictable game-changer for all business, with greyhound racing no different – nor for that matter SIS and Arc. Many enterprises face a struggle just to survive.

Obviously time is of the essence and Nottingham will want to confirm the exact situation as soon as possible.

There is an all-open card there tonight, including no fewer than ten trial stakes, designed to underline that, as it stands, Derby entries close at 3pm a fortnight tomorrow, Tuesday, March 31.

The draw is scheduled for Friday, April 3, with the first-round action due to begin a week later on Good Friday. You can’t help wondering if tonight proves as close as we might ever get. It’s conceivable, if things worsen, that there might be no Derby.

Irish-based trainers have expressed warranted concern that travel will get restricted. Graham Holland pulled his three intended runners out tonight, plus other trialists; Pat Guilfoyle has similarly cancelled his planned trials. Of course a later Nottingham competition might potentially reopen it to Kirby runners (Limerick’s final is April 25). But who knows?

This emergency is really all about maximising your chances – whether personal or economic.

Commonsense social distancing and hygiene precautions effectively means shaking hands must now be considered bad form – hard as that seems, especially when celebrating. We are part of a genuine full-blown crisis that needs to be taken seriously.

It would actually be a good time for SIS and Arc to talk to each other, rather than just through their lawyers. Wasting resources and any taking of unnecessary risk feels all the more mistaken.

It might be that a Derby staged for mutual benefit, shown in all betting shops and on RPGTV as well as Sky Sports Racing, could really help everybody.

However, given the current circumstances, the current May 16 final feels a long way off and may never happen. Let’s be realistic. That would be hugely disappointing but life will still go on.

I would not fancy explaining that though to fans of Ice On Fire. Gilmartin believes he’s the likeliest winner.

She presented the RPGTV Juvenile trophy to his connections at Sheffield at the end of last month, and added: “Ice on Fire has got everyone in my shop talking and the consensus is he wins the Derby hands down.”

Such certainty is refreshing. If and when the Derby eventually does take place, it will be time to party, Cheltenham-style.