Eagle eyed readers of the GBGB Calendar will have spotted a couple of Monmore opens scheduled for late October which are restricted to ‘greyhound trainers only’ writes Floyd Amphlett.
It is an interesting move from one of the few tracks in the country that would have no concerns over the size of its kennel strength. So what is the idea?
Ladbrokes Head of Stadia Richard Brankley said: “We are looking to gauge the level of interest from enthusiasts who sometimes get overlooked in favour of more established names and miss out on the opportunities to race at tracks.
“Restricted races may also encourage people to take up a licence or in deciding if current greyhound trainers want to make the transition to professional trainers in the future. If not they can still enjoy racing for £200 and £50 run money. The track will give preference to runners that trial before entry and will be accommodating to trainers wishing to book a trial.”
Editorial
What a fantastic initiative from Monmore! It comes as a welcome surprise, but not a shock. Brankley was one of many promoters who welcomed the proposal I submitted to GBGB last December for the re-introduction of ‘no kennels’ permit racing. Indeed he even suggested he would not be averse to staging ‘the first two or three races on a Saturday night for amateur trainers, what harm would it do?’
Sadly, the GBGB seemingly plan to ignore the proposal. They haven’t advised me as such, (surprise surprise), though a chance conversation with press officer Simon Banks seems to confirm the corporate view. ‘Government don’t want it’ I was told.
Really? If Government had a problem with amateur training, would recent EFRA review of the Animal Welfare Act have given the green light for the independent tracks to carry on racing with home-trained greyhounds?
How could they, logically, object to GBGB adopting a similar scheme on the grounds of ‘welfare’?
(Interestingly, Monmore’s latest appointment, Paul White began his training career with one very slow house pet running on the flaps.)
Former GBGB welfare officer Peter Laurie, now Director of Operations at Battersea Dogs Home and a leading welfarist responded -‘Personally, I don’t see Government having any problem with greyhound being trained from homes with no kennels.’
(Expect an ‘occasional columnist’ piece from Peter within the next fortnight.)
My local track is Henlow where last Saturday, the card consisted of seven: four and five dog races. Yet I know of half a dozen former trainers who would love to have a couple of dogs at home and run for fun, if it didn’t involved OTT kennel requirements. Who else is out there? I can think of at least 10 tracks who would benefit from an increase in runner numbers. Perry Barr are currently running four and five runner opens for God’s sake.
What about all the new people who would own greyhounds now, had the independent tracks not disappeared and the GBGB scrapped a system that once worked so well?
There is no legal, logical, logistical, or moral reason not to amend the rules of racing and so many reasons to do so and give the industry some breathing space.
And we want it now – not after you have kicked it into the long grass for another year or two!
In the words of Richard Brankley ‘what harm would it do’?
