A couple of weeks ago, one of the Irish bookmaker’s took a hit on a BAGS meeting. They did, what bookies tend to do. They screamed!
The track where the incident occurred was immediately under scrutiny and the management were, allegedly, hauled before BAGS a couple of days later, and explanations demanded.
Since this particular track have had a sometimes difficult relationship with BAGS, many of the locals feared the worst.
So exactly what happened?
Having made some calls and investigated the incident, here is my view of the events.
First let’s set the scene – at one of the best and fairest racing circuits in the country. For that reason, this particular track remains one of the prime targets of the ‘shrewdies’. Many of you will know who they are. They are bloody good judges who study the videos and form and are prepared to back their judgement with cold reddies.
Now at this particular track, the punters have an additional advantage. The calibre of greyhound who run there is particularly poor. Many are dogs who were bought for buttons by the track promoter and given to trainers to keep them operating.
The net result is that in some races, it isn’t too difficult to spot the greyhounds from the lurchers.
The net result is that the shrewdies helped themselves to some tasty forecast doubles and trebles and lucrative each-way tricasts.
So who is to blame?
The dogs were graded fairly. The dogs ran to form. The betting, perhaps unlike other occasions, was conducted honestly. Indeed, it has been suggested that a disproportionate amount of cash was blown back to the track to shorten up prices.
Here’s the thing – this isn’t the first time this happened. It has occurred at different tracks in recent months.
One promoter was telling me about a situation at this track. The same Irish bookies did the screaming, though intriguingly, the big money was actually placed with an English company.
The dogs ran to form. There was no coup, just good judgement, on some inferior runners.
So what does this tell you?
It tells me this. Greyhound racing is now starting to creak due to the short sighted, penny pinching attitudes of the British betting industry who are paying the price for short-changing greyhound racing.
Don’t blame the tracks, the racing managers or the trainers! Look closer to home at your off-shore betting policy.
Look at how much is not being funnelled back from selling picture rights around the globe.
Shut up and pay up!
