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Mark Donohue Australia (Verified User) Posts 3236 Dogs 6 / Races 0 30 Nov 2015 10:20
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I'd like to have conversations with the following people on a regular basis to see if we can collectively help industry participants with the massive number of changes that have occurred and will continue to occur, within the industry. It appears that these changes are within larger issues that will ultimately reduce the industry size when some indicators suggest that our industry should be growing. . I'd like to have conversations with the following persons because they seem to have sound knowledge of where we have been, where we are now and where we should be next year, in five years time and beyond. I've restricted it to about twelve, but more can join if it is warranted or required. It is not an elitist group, nor a boys club and one can decline or accept. In no particular order, they are:
Steve Bennie, Jack Gatty, Steve Harvey, Joe Baldacchino, Rod Hampton, Grant Dunphy, Sandro Bechini, Garry Comans, Glen Hatton, Chris van Vegchel, Sandra Giles, or any other persons, male or female. . We could be supported by other States and Territories as we go. . Some of the issues I have collated for discussion are:
ICA Tax Harmonisation Prize money Grading Rules - old and new Race Scheduling across the State Wentworth Park Vets Stewards Swabbing - blood and urine Welfare Race track maintenance and design Participant Support GAP Pet Motel Administration Costs Track ownership Breeding - AI / Natural Rearing Wastage and any others. . Discussions on these issues have been made, but we need to fine-tune and present our arguments to GRNSW as it is our regulator not our leader, but we need to consult with it on every issue that is important. The masses will be advised. Don't be disappointed or annoyed if your name is not on the list. It's not personal. . If it doesn't proceed past this point, I understand and no hard feelings. At least we tried.
Mark Donohue Australia (Verified User) Posts 3236 Dogs 6 / Races 0 30 Nov 2015 20:56
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Steve Bennie. I tried sending an email to you. Here's mine. . [email protected]
Jack Gatty Australia (Verified User) Posts 2055 Dogs 1 / Races 0 30 Nov 2015 20:56
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Mark I am willing to help any way we can for positive changes and for a future that looks to grow the sport. You can email me at [email protected]
Chris van Vegchel Australia (Verified User) Posts 443 Dogs 3 / Races 0 01 Dec 2015 00:15
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Mark, will email you tonight. Thx.
Ashley Dwyer Australia (Verified User) Posts 61 Dogs 9 / Races 0 01 Dec 2015 00:49
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See thedogs website asking for industry feedback.
EXTERNAL LINK I reckon the collective group you identified could put together a collaboarative response and make a difference in the immediacy
Mark Donohue Australia (Verified User) Posts 3236 Dogs 6 / Races 0 01 Dec 2015 00:55
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Thanks Ashley. I didn't know until you mentioned it. There isn't a lot of time.
Rod Hampton Australia Posts 1626 Dogs 2993 / Races 11816 01 Dec 2015 01:18
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just 7 days from the time of publication. and it's a 22 page document.
Ashley Dwyer Australia (Verified User) Posts 61 Dogs 9 / Races 0 01 Dec 2015 01:30
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It is an easy enough read .
The scope and issues raised are not out of the blue.
I think anyone in the industry could provide something of value in feed back even if it is only against one or two issues.
Mark Donohue Australia (Verified User) Posts 3236 Dogs 6 / Races 0 01 Dec 2015 02:27
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That's right Ashley you don't have to answer all of them, but I do agree with Rod in that it's a short turn-around. . If anyone wants me to compile a response to any or all of the Discussion Paper Questions feel free to send them to my email address. Alternatively, you can send them. I don't think you have to answer all of them. . I've glanced over them and there are maybe two I know I don't have the expertise to comment. It's a sharp turn-around for a hobby-working trainer, but see how we go. . Don't forget Wayne Billett wants the best for the industry as well.
John McAlister Australia (Verified User) Posts 6567 Dogs 1 / Races 0 01 Dec 2015 03:33
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And there in lays the problem "for the Industry" because anything less than that will be a complete failure the way I see it Breeding,Rearing,Grading = Wastage = Welfare There are a lot of people out there grabbing at Straws they know the problems they know the issues and they're finding it very hard to solve both W Billet sits at the head of the table with a group of hopefully people with a lot of common sense that can give an unbiased opinion that will suit all without suiting someones ego. All these Newbies that have been placed in their jobs with very little knowledge of the actual star of the show The Greyhound are finding it very difficult to understand the common sense side of the complete Industry. One only has to look at the Industry Itself its Participants and the Administrations to understand there is Common Sense and Understanding Lacking allround ...one only has to read these Forum Sites and the Media to realise that
Mark Donohue Australia (Verified User) Posts 3236 Dogs 6 / Races 0 01 Dec 2015 04:35
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Here's another chance for you to comment. Press on external link, read the questions and blurt out all your answers !
Sandro Bechini Australia (Verified User) Posts 19486 Dogs 15268 / Races 1856 01 Dec 2015 05:13
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Mark
I will email you tonight
John McAlister Australia (Verified User) Posts 6567 Dogs 1 / Races 0 01 Dec 2015 06:22
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Mark Donohue wrote:
Here's another chance for you to comment. Press on external link, read the questions and blurt out all your answers !
Mark it's not that simple if it were there wouldn't be a problem would there let's have a look at where some of our modern day breeders that know very little about breeding other than to sit in front of a computer screen punching in sires that may suit their bitch in a testmating knowing nothing about the idiosyncrasies of the dog they select and then wonder why they are stuck with the pups.Paul Wheeler is a great breeder from the old school he knows what it takes to breed a winner 1st and foremost and the Fernando's are the cream on the top for the effort he breeds from the very best of what his lines have delivered him.Can one Emulate Wheeler of course they can thru hardwork and knowledge of how to breed whether it's from an outcross Sire or a linebred Sire whether the clique sits on the 3rd and the 4th line but the dam must be from good stock where an unbroken line of win producing bitches have done it all before.We must remember also even though Wheeler breeds a lot of pups per year he rarely sells them so PW is never stuck with pups whereas the Computer Breeder thinks they have the best and does get stuck because the price is way too high
Mark Donohue Australia (Verified User) Posts 3236 Dogs 6 / Races 0 01 Dec 2015 06:37
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There is nothing wrong with that answer. Let them have it.
John McAlister Australia (Verified User) Posts 6567 Dogs 1 / Races 0 01 Dec 2015 18:14
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Mark just a quick look at our track situation I get sick of hearing how Victorian racing is far superior to ours and how their Industry is run more efficient and there wouldn't be anyone in this state that would differ on that but they have all tracks earning and turning over money while we have more Country tracks being supported and propped up from the proceeds the TAB turnover deliver. If we look at Victoria we see where they have a pretty good array of tracks with very few having bend starts they have a great straight track yet I think we have much more scope to improve our lot in 1 word regionalise and this we must do or we will go broke NSW cannot keep propping up country tracks the dead money tracks are a thing of the past we can't support something that don't earn any cash they call it cutting your losses and while they are cutting their losses the Powers must do something very drastic about these 400m bend starts and while they are doing that along the way they should give the dogs better and varied racing surfaces the reasoning behind this is the majority of these tight sand tracks are definitely not catering for all racing dogs which to me is not helping the welfare issue in this state We need 2 or 3 straight tracks strategically placed Taree Kempsey Wauhope Replaced by 1 track of excellence with TAB meetings run by the North Coast Greyhound Racing Association Reopen Cessnock with Duel tracks of excellence close Maitland The Gardens and Gosford some of these meetings will be of City Standards Known as The Hunter and Central Greyhound Association We have too much deadwood also among the TAB tracks for the simple fact they are under utilised oh! yes we do need to keep this thread where it can be seen by all including those who don't really know the Industry that well but want to change it
Mark Donohue Australia (Verified User) Posts 3236 Dogs 6 / Races 0 01 Dec 2015 18:36
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There are some great ideas on data - on different threads and I have forgotten a lot of those ideas. The problem we have comparing Victoria with NSW is size of NSW, population, ICA and the tax disparity which puts NSW at a huge disadvantage. Closure of tracks doesn't necessarily support looking after our dogs when we want to race locally with country graded dogs that are still hard to beat. It's a fascinating subject that makes it a conundrum.
Allen Hansen Australia (Verified User) Posts 232 Dogs 6 / Races 0 01 Dec 2015 19:24
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Getting a CEO and board with the business skills required, thats honest and hardworking with the greyhound industry at heart, and not being lumped by govt with leftover horse people.
Grant Dunphy Australia (Verified User) Posts 743 Dogs 4 / Races 1 01 Dec 2015 20:34
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Great thread Mark, Hope as many as possible contribute their suggestions.All suggestions should be put on the board & no criticisms. I think that our ideas / suggestions should be based on "what benefits greyhound racing. At present the tab c meetings are too prolific & only benefit the other 2 codes thru tab wagering percentages.We do not benefit $1. Country racing costs peanuts & provides non tab dogs with longevity & the country stalwarts with what they need.It is also where many pups start and our breeding nursery. We do need to rationalise TAB racing.Our tracks are now designed to be raced on every day & yet they are under-utilised because we have too many. Increase travel money & pay up to 4th place.
Lets here from you everybody & good luck to all.
Allen Hansen Australia (Verified User) Posts 232 Dogs 6 / Races 0 01 Dec 2015 21:15
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Secure our vision, make an exclusive greyhound channel happen, challenge intercode on the basis of restrictions on meeting times allowing tab racing on Saturday afternoons
Jack Gatty Australia (Verified User) Posts 2055 Dogs 1 / Races 0 01 Dec 2015 22:11
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There are some hard decisions that need to be made. When welfare is supposed to be at the forefront of every decision it is a conundrum. If country tracks close, where do the slower dogs race? Currently the slower dogs end up on these country tracks. Governance is a big one - until we get leaders that are passionate dog people who will stand up for the code we will just tread water. V'landys is a classic example - no matter how much I despise his arrogance, his passion for his code is unquestionable. I am told that that the average starts for a dog in Australia is 11. Whilst in the US it is around 40, this is the major issue in my book. What is their secret? Well it isn't a secret, their track surface and lure design ensures that dogs race alot longer and more often - they are not obsessed with times when selecting breeding stock but strength, number of starts and numbers of wins are the criteria. We need to get our dogs having longer careers and alot more starts. And as we all know if we recieved our fair share of the intercode and tax parity alot of the improvements needed could be funded.
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