aquaman

Ban all imports, and limit the number of dogs each training license is able to train. Extend dogs racing life by not being able to start racing dogs until two years of age. Then program races for dogs until 7 years of age in age related races. Example, races for 7 year olds, races for 6 year olds, races for 5 year olds. Not saying this would suit every dog, but most would be ok. By starting racing career at two, and finishing at seven, this will give them a five year racing career. Life after racing would be shorter thereby making it easier to keep them in old age. If this concept was adopted, the industry would solve the wastage. At present, dogs start racing far to young, and are burnt out far to early. If I was in charge, I would limit racing per dog to once a week. If they are serious about welfare, then radical changes are needed, and redesigning the grading of Greyhounds to incorporate older dogs is needed. If a Greyhounds racing life can be extended, then this will go a long way to solving healthy dogs being put down. Maybe a 5% deduction from stake money to be pooled for subsidy to trainers or owners to look after dogs in retirement once they reach 8 years old.

I have yet to find a race that does not have a finish. It cannot be a race unless there is a start and finish. If a race does not have a start or finish, then it is not a race. This concept should be easy to understand. In the case of Greyhounds, it starts at the boxes, and finishes at the finish line. This is why its called a finish line. 99.9% of people understand this to be so.

The race is finished at the finish line. What happens after that has no effect as far as the dogs manners are concerned. Many dogs do not go into the lure. Many dogs are guilty of fighting after the finish line. Dogs cannot be penalised for offence's after the finish line. A race must finish at the finish line, otherwise it is not a race.

Pie is only so big. More options equal smaller pools. Smaller pools equals less incentive to bet. Less bets equals falling turnover. Falling turnover equals smaller stakes. Really smart move by suits in power.

Bring back Bill English.

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with dead baiting, this was always bullshit. Dead baiting was an over reaction by idiots at the NZGRA to appease activists. I said at the beginning, this investigation is going nowhere unless witnesses were willing to back up video evidence. Still photos prove nothing. As I said at the beginning, it could of been granny's old fur coat being tied on the lure as far as acceptable evidence in a court of law. It needed eye witness accounts to back up the allegation that it was a live animal being tied to the lure. Using a dead animal on the lure is quiet acceptable in my mind, example, shot rabbit, road kill possum etc. In fact, picking up road kills saves beautiful hawks from being killed by cars that are feeding on the carcass's. This live kill business has been going on for far to long. I go back to Black Anabus that was brought out here from Australia to contest the Silver Collar earlier this century. It was said it was fined tuned to jump from the boxes with live kills at the sound of a particular cell phone ring tone. The handler at the time was loading the dog in the boxes when somebody would ring their cell phone making the dog think she was getting another live kill. This case brought about the cell phone ban on the track after many months of lobbying those in power. No need to say who the trainer was of Black Anabus.

A number of years 4/5.

And don't you just love the commentator. Miss Kim I believe.

R u talking about Mark Merv. The starter for Harness is Peter Lamb, he is also a Stipe, dual gaited. He would know very little about Greyhounds. He fancy's himself as a prosecutor for the RIU at judicial hearings. His history before becoming a Stipe, starter, prosecutor, was yes you guessed it, a policeman from Darfield I believe. Attained the dizzy heights of Sergeant from what I am told. Ponces about like a real dickhead with an air of arrogance and superiority.

Yes Merv, time to name the Stipe, they sound like they have an axe to grind. They are of low quality when assessing Greyhounds and there peculiarities. No common sense.

You mean rorts cichlid.?

Noticed not many likes to the above post. Looks like a very mean spirited poster to me that just joined up to make negative post. Now crawl back in your hole troll. Merry Xmas.

Yes, a good and proper result. Says a lot about poor decision making by the Stipes on the day. All trainers should be given the choice to withdraw their dogs on the day when mother nature serves up sloppy tracks such was Forbury on this occasion. Dogs that come from off the pace are clearly disadvantaged in these conditions, not to mention dogs with nail problems, or cramping problems in deep tracks.

I noticed the grass was very long on the troublesome bend, forgive my ignorance, but would this not hide troublesome spots such as holes or inconsistent patches. I realise a bit of growth is good if only to keep moisture in the soil, but the grass was up to the top of the jocks boots. Also would long grass contribute to slipping. Just the observations of a layman when it comes to prepping a TB track.

How about you trial a couple of horses before meeting starts.

I like Mike Austin Jason, in my eyes, he is one of the better ones. I always found him pleasant to deal with, and always professional. I can forgive his inability to read a race, as he makes up for it in other departments. He is not alone in reading races, but coming with a background in racing, he is light years ahead of the retired ex cops and grocers that currently dominate the Stipe ranks. Just my opinion Jason.

Lamb suffers from arrogance. Thinks he is so good. Being a Stipe, he is a stickler for all the health and safety rules, yet I see his arrogant self, poncing and strutting among the horses at the start without a helmet, yet he requires all starters assistants to be wearing one. He does not, because arrogant clowns think they are above lesser mortals. Lives in the clouds.

Well spotted Yani.

Correct Arsenic, the tracks sand is laid on the top if bitumen, and when the track turns to soup, it opens up allowing dogs to reach bedrock especially at the catch. Hence the broken and split nails. Forbury has an extremely high water table, so cannot cope with much rain. In coming years, all South Dunedin will be under water, St Clair, St Kilda, etc.

All power to those that scratched, Alison Lee, Bradshaw, and Jopson. They clearly had their dogs interest ahead of all else. They clearly should be able to scratch without penalty when served up with a sub standard and dangerous track. You do not travel round trip to Dunedin and scratch lightly. An utter disgrace that they should be subjected to an inquiry. The only inquiry needed here is the sub standard performance of the Stewards in allowing the meeting to proceed. It was a farce that became a lottery for punters. Welfare is only an issue when it suits them. I will bet dollars to donuts there was many split nails discovered this morning.

Weak f#cken mugs.

Three words, Ian Lee's Galaway.

Nabbed the quin with Davids Legacy last night, now on to the final at 101/1. I know its a tall order, but 101 is a huge price in a dog race. DL's box speed could put him in front at some stage, and anything can happen in behind.

You are game Lad having a go at Forbury Park. Raining and slushy. Myself will wait for Cambridge. Get on Danny Gee at 3's.

Sounds to me, the Steward has an eye sight problem.