TAB Tracks with full sectionals (all runners).

Victoria All tracks.
NSW Bathurst, Grafton, Nowra, Gardens, Richmond, Gosford, Maitland, Wentworth Park.
Queensland Albion Park, Ipswich.
WA Cannington, Mandurah, Northam.
SA Gawler, Angle Park, Mt Gambier, Murray Bridge.

Tracks with incorrect sectionals. These tracks show a single sectional for one dog but assign it to the winner or the wrong dog, rather than the dog which ran it.

NT Darwin
Tasmania Launceston, Hobart, Devonport.

Tracks with limited or erratic sectionals

NSW Casino, Wagga, Dapto, Lismore

Tracks which assign no sectionals.

NSW Bulli
Queensland Capalaba, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Townsville, Cairns.

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On the same general subject, note that most or all tracks have the facility to record and publish 2nd sectionals and Run Home times.

Statistically, exhaustive testing shows that 2nd sectionals are of no extra value in predicting future performances. The story of the race is completely covered by the first sectional and the overall time.

Run Home times are also of limited or no value, partly because they are not recorded in formguides for future reference and partly because you cannot be sure which dog is responsible for them. They are also (for example) an unreliable predictor of a dogs capacity to compete over a longer distance (just as a 600m performance cannot tell you how the dog will run over 700m).

In both cases, the effort and cost of publishing figures and building equipment for these purposes is wasted. They are good only for bar room chatter.

I might also add that in three cases (Casino 484m, Grafton 305m and Gawler 531m) publishing first sectionals of 3 sec or less is statistically unreliable. The numbers can be very close together and they are too short to establish relative abilities (in early pace) ie some dogs jump out of the box quickly, some go very fast only after they have hit the ground. Additionally, such short times suggest a track which may promote higher interference as the start is too close to the upcoming turn.

Yes they are important ans should be part of the overall service

BUT

Is that really going to get us through?

Is it going to rehome more dogs, or fix the breeding shortage, or educate and encourage new trainers & participants into the industry, is it going to assist dogs chase harder or not???

Is it going to assist politicians to acknowledge that our sport is worth keeping for future generations and keep the Anti's at bay????

There has been so much tripe written on this subject about sectional times and it doesn't shape the direction of the sport

Bruce, why don't you just create a new topic when you go off on a tangent instead of spewing all this F&#$King rubbish on this topic

"Honestly, are sectional times really a major issue affecting the Sport in NSW".

Yes, if you want support from good punters rather than mugs in pubs. Your choice. The point you miss is that there has been a major shift over time from good punters to those mugs as proportions of the total betting turnover. Why is that?

Yes, it is only one element of a big subject but it is also indicative of attitudes generally. Why are some clubs, including GBOTA, so sloppy about attending to sectionals or track layouts or even in allowing/encouraging more punitive rules to be introduced. Why does NSW compare poorly with most other states? The attitude is a cancer and cancer spreads.

By the way, how can the subject be "important" and "rubbish" at the same time?

You comment on antis is also important but it is a digression from this point.

It still isn't a major issue for the Industry

Sandro/Bruce,

I agree sectional times are not a major issue, but they are still part of the big picture. A picture that needs to reflect a reasonable level of professionalism in the industry.

As for the sectionals info, they say knowledge is power.

If some punters feel the greyhound form is inadequate, they will soon turn to sports betting, which offers an endless supply of data to help them sort out who will hit the first six, or kick the next goal.

Not saying its not important, but putting proper timing systems and conveying them to the masses is not a Major Issue for the survival and prosperity of our industry

There are far bigger fish to fry than worrying whether Bulli or Casino or any other is inconsistent in putting their sectionals up

Its annoying......but not MAJOR

And Bruce, my comment on the ANTI's are a MAJOR issue and is TOTALLY RELEVANT....because it is that Group that has caused the most problems so far and as they infiltrate Government thinking they will continue to be an Achilles Heel for Greyhounds and Horse racing sports alike

imo bruce IS an anti.

You ask "How many take notice?"

The short answer is some but not a great many - to their cost.

As I was meandering through the Meadows results this morning a couple of things stood out. First, too many favourites were fashioned out of a mixed bag of career runs. That is, they had some sort of chance but not at the silly price on offer.

Second, virtually all of those losing favourites ran slow 1st sectionals, which almost immediately puts them out of play.

Can you predict that? Well, the better the class of dog the easier it is to do that. But you need to assess their career sectionals as well as their overall galloping ability. To do that you need good data. If you don't have it you might as well tear up $20 bills and throw them off the balcony.

The best dog does not always win the race, more often it is the best positioned dog. That's why leaders win a helluva lot of races and you guys are forever seeking good beginners to train. Simples.

Take Poke the Bear, possibly the best sprinter in Oz these days, providing he gets a clear run. The problem is that he is a risky beginner, so when coupled with a bad box he will have difficulty, as he did the other day. The connections will not worry over much because they know he will bring home some big prizes. But what does the punter do? He has to see a price that addresses his risky starts - and that will be rare. Two different views of the same subject.

On thoroughbreds - several firms tout their wares to prospective customers on the basis that they can supply comprehensive sectional data. Part of the reason for that is that clubs are sloppy or even wrong when they publish or omit sectional times. It is also why you frequently see so-and-so ran the last 400 or 600 in a particular time in routine newspaper articles.

So punters do care. And the more info they have and the easier you make it for them the more they will bet. That's precisely why you print formguides. Knowledge is the beginning and end of punting. Otherwise you may as well stick to the pokies.

Mark

I would find it hard to believe that GWIC can dictate that decision to GRNSW

It has nothing to do with Greyhound Integrity or Welfare

That is a commercial decison that GRNSW is responsible for i.e. like prizemoney payments

The Commission is responsible for:

Controlling and regulating greyhound racing

Administering the Greyhound Racing Rules

Registering greyhounds and industry participants (including but not limited to owners, breeders, trainers and bookmakers)

Investigating animal welfare and integrity concerns relating to greyhound racing in NSW

Employing race stewards, inspectors, investigators and veterinary officers.

GRNSW is responsible for:

Registering greyhound racing clubs

Developing safety standards for registered racecourses

Managing the greyhound re-homing program (e.g. Greyhounds As Pets)

Distribution of industry funding received from the TAB
Funding the Commission

Sure he wasn't talking about GRNSW & Tony Mestrov