PERMIT UPDATE – FLOYD AMPHLETT

We we passed the 150 signature mark at lunchtime today and are well on target for our target of 200. The original deadline was two weeks, with any luck we could get there within four days.

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There have been other developments . . .

Jonathan Kay has taken up the story and had planned to run with it in Thursday’s Racing Post. However, that has been shelved for a couple of reasons relating to lack of space due to the big SKY meeting at Newcastle and some unexpected developments. It is a story that he has uncovered and to say I am shocked would be an understatement. Fingers crossed (if Wimbledon is saved, or something of similar magnitude, the permit story may have to wait a day) the story should break on Friday.

In other developments, GRA boss Clive Feltham has been in touch to say that he thinks permit racing is a good idea and he intends to sound out the other promoters – trust me on this – there are an awful lot of them already keen to progress this.

In a further development, I was sent an email from leading welfare campaigner Clarissa Baldwin CBE, former Chief Exec of the Dogs Trust and chair of the Greyhound Forum. She sent a mail, hugely critical of the GBGB’s welfare record, and the failure to deliver welfare standards for trainers kennels. So how does she feel about training from home. She replied “..I believe what all rescues would agree is that a dog is much better off in a home, as long as that home has the right environment and that training is carried out with positive methods.”

The bottom line – I think the GBGB’s ducking and diving on these issues is about to come to a head. They foster a prejudice against small trainers that is antiquated and about to be put to open scrutiny. There is still a long way to go – but truthfully – I really think we will get there.