That's an interesting way to look at it, Michael.
I had to tilt my head to the side to read it.

With the recent "extra attention" Greyhounds have received from QRIC, I'm thinking it's actually a POSITIVE rather than a NEGATIVE.

With the recent debacles with Thoroughbreds and Harness, the current swabbing blitzes with us are making us look pretty damn GOOD!

We just need to keep getting NON-POSITIVES, don't do silly misdemeanours, and we are starting to look like a bloody good proposition!

Keep it up folks, because if we do they have no excuse to take away our prize money anymore!!!!

EXTERNAL LINK
"Proposed Interstate Grading Concessions
Racing Queensland discussed interstate grading concessions at the Greyhound Racing Advisory Panel on 14 February 2018.

Racing Queensland is considering options to assist Queensland owners and trainers in the purchase of interstate greyhounds to race in Queensland. Currently interstate performances count towards Class 1/Class 2/Class 3 grades etc. There is little incentive for owners/trainers to purchase an interstate greyhound to race in the higher grades in QLD when it could stay in Victoria and/or NSW and start in Grade 5 at every new track they race.

Racing Queensland is requesting stakeholder feedback in whether providing grading concessions for interstate performances would entice owners/trainers to purchase an interstate greyhound to race in Queensland.

Racing Queensland proposes to turn off all grading at interstate tracks classified as Class 2, Class 3, Class 4, Class 5 and Class 6. In the most part, this will allow raced greyhounds to come to Queensland and start in 5th grade. Some rules such as Class 1 grading, and the upgrading rules, would remain in place for interstate performances."

Well, I must be brain dead then...
If the upgrading rules still apply (after 6 wins you go up a grade, even if you HAVE NOT completed your allotment of 5th grade wins) how does it benefit anyone and how does it entice someone to buy a dog to race here when they can stay where they are and race in 5th grades instead of 4th...or WORSE 3/4???

Hi Sid,
I don't really understand why RQ would have a problem with it nor the lack of communication.
They're non TAB tracks you propose.
Has Dale Cartwright been willing in the past to discuss issues?
If not, why not?
Your proposition amounts to no more than an internal industry promotion, so where is the problem?

Do you need to speak to someone else?

Good to see you folk are acting positively.

However, I could offer an alternative approach to what seems to be an effort to promote the name and the activities of QGBOTA.

First, rugs have only one purpose - to distinguish between eight runners for the benefit of the viewing public by utilising multi coloured backgrounds on multi coloured dogs.

Second, whatever logo you use will get buried and will, in any event, be small in size and possibly not meaningful to a lot of viewers or even trainers etc. Use of a TAB logo is not a valid comparison as it is just a minor part of a whopping marketing exercise.

Third, there is ready availability of advertising space on boards at tracks all over the country. Their size allows you to insert a much more effective message and they are well displayed on SKY. My guess is that overall costs would be much lower. Rugs are not cheap.

Lastly, I have an ulterior motive but the reasons overlap. My view is that rug colours need to be improved anyway. It is too hard to distinguish between runners in bad weather or in the back straight.
1 and 8 are OK in front of you but not at a long distance in a jumbly field. Put a black and white dog in 2 or 7 and anything is possible. Even the latest change (brown to green) was a help but it still lacks definition between 4 and 6 in bad light.

As near as I can determine, the official colours are set by committees around the boardroom table with advice from material manufacturers. However, those manufacturers have a different set of parameters to those which would be used by a professional colour consultant working in conditions at the track.

I realise I am digressing from your subject a little but I take every opportunity I can get to push this barrow. The view of the race can be and asset and a huge competitive advantage for the greyhound code.

Full details and application form is available a EXTERNAL LINK

Further information from Christine Goodwin 0408 388 439 or [email protected]