Written By Adam Dobbin
Trainer Dave Irwins staunch opposition to Greyhound Racing NSWs Race Day Water Policy spilled over at Maitland last Thursday afternoon with the leading conditioner failing to comply on the fifth occasion, with the matter now referred to stewards.Mandatory since February 18, following a trial period where its use was discretionary, trainers must now provide between 250ml and 500ml of water for each greyhound kenneled at NSW race meetings. Introduced by Greyhound Racing NSW, the purpose of the policy is to protect the health, comfort and safety of greyhounds with respect to their race day hydration, while ensuring the integrity of greyhound racing at the same time. Currently, NSW is the only jurisdiction to adopt such a scheme. For Warragai Creek trainer Irwin, regarded as one of the sports leading conditioners with a life-long involvement in the industry, he feels hes been left no choice other than to tackle the issue head-on, resolute in his quest to get what he believes to be the right outcome for participants. Let me just say from the start Im all for everything we can do for animal welfare thats a given but this policy, if anything, is counter-productive, said Irwin earlier this week. What we have here is a policy that hasnt been thought through its that simple. When you have respected industry vets both locally and interstate prepared to put their grievances in writing that should be enough to say things arent perfect. At the end of the day trainers are wholly responsible for the welfare of their greyhounds nutrition, hydration, temperature, health the list goes on. The onus is on the trainer to do the right thing by their greyhound the moment they step into their kennels the small time they are kenneled on race day shouldnt be any different its from one extreme to the next. Ive forwarded documentation to GRNSW CEO John Gibbons and based on that information have asked him to reconsider GRNSWs position on the policy and place the responsibility back on the trainer, the way it should be. My understanding is if there is data to support the policy the industry hasnt seen it. Since its implementation weve seen many greyhounds drop their performance. The idea of a greyhound to be racing sometimes within minutes of drinking up to half-a-litre of water is actually a hindrance to welfare not a help, not to mention a significant integrity issue. From my own perspective my attitude to hydration particularly on race day is as meticulous as you can get to the minute almost. Travelling distance, weather conditions, mannerisms of the dog theres so many moving parts. The objective is to ensure the dog is happy and healthy but at the same time not racing sometimes over 700 metres with a stomach full of water thats not in the greyhounds best interests. The Race Day Hydration Policy has received mixed reactions since its implementation. In its current format, the policy makes no concession to whether the greyhounds a 22 kilo bitch or a 41 kilo dog. Whether the greyhound is due to compete in race one or 12 sometimes a three hour disparity as to how much time will be spent in the kennels. Whether the race meeting is at The Gardens on a Friday afternoon in the throes of summer or at Bathurst on a Monday in the middle of July where the temperature may see itself a few clicks above zero. The industry continues to embrace change and performance should never be placed above welfare. Nor will it. Elements of this policy has merit but the basic principle of the trainers obligation to exercise his or her discretion for whats best for that particular greyhound gets lost in all of this. These offices received a call on Monday from a trainer engaged at Wentworth Park on Saturday night it was the first time the greyhound had raced since the Water Policy became mandatory. After drinking every ounce of water the greyhound competed in an early race, performing well below par. Post-race the greyhound brought it all up hardly ideal. But in the same conversation that same trainer said they had another greyhound that the policy may work well for in moderation. There you go, discretion based on the greyhound and all the moving parts involved in forming a decision based on an intimate knowledge of the greyhound. Trainers are licensed by GRNSW after becoming satisfied they will do their absolute best for the greyhounds in their care responsible for their ongoing welfare. Trust may well be a great place to start. Dave Irwin has asked any trainers that share his concerns on the policy to email him confidentially at [email protected]
PLEASE NOTE: If trainers wish to raise any concerns with the current policy, GRNSW encourage participants to email [email protected] Here we go .....Please help SUPPORT Dave Irwin.. We have to stay together and help each other and my hat goes off to you Dave for standing your ground and for not accepting these new water rules ...
It is unsafe.. Safety hazard.. Contamination issues Wet bedding .. UNSAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT IF THE KENNEL FLOOR HAS WATER ALL OVER IT . Biggest way to pull a greyhound up ...Fill it up with water ... This was a old timer's trick when he trialed or qualied his hounds .... If you allow a Greyhound to consume over 100 ml of water 15 min before its race then this will PULL A GREYHOUND up it will loose a couple of lengths and or can vomit soon after the run and can cause CRAMPING ...Lack of finish on power ...IMO
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