As someone who has been in the greyhound industry for 3 years. I decided to put my hand up as a Team leader in the draft.Unfortunately I didn't make the cut. The 2 they chose are definitely better leaders than I. The Draft is a great idea to get involved, as I have been in this game for 3 years. When we first started, we almost brought 15% of a greyhound that ' royally bred, trialling beautifully, city class ' all the lies and crap. We didn't buy in, that 15% was going to cost us $2500. We did our own research to find the break in times were about 1 second slower than what would make the track despite the ads telling us it would be a gun The greyhound 12 months later, never had a start, 6 months later. It finally said retired.. At the time we wanted to buy more cause it seemed cheap. That was the last 15%... so this syndicate pretty much sold 85% of the dog that never made the track, after break in never would make the track. That is 85% if they were FIRST TIMERS, that I can bet my left nut will never buy another greyhound. As they had been burnt Since then I am much more educated and buy dogs wthout the help of syndicators. The third dog we brought was a syndicated dog, they took out money. Gave us an update every few months in the way of a vet bill nothing else. Once again, many were first time owners. Felt in the dark, im really surprised I didn't walk away than We have brought broken dogs from here for $4000, $1500, $10000 (not going to name but not cool, always get vet checks pre purchase). So if the DRAFT brings in 100 new owners, that is great. That is a lot more than a lot of others are doing I see people say this will kill small syndicators, as part of a tipping service I provide. I have syndicated dogs out, the last few dogs have sold out in under 15-20 minutes. That's cause they are reasonable, I am honest and tell people it may never win a race, It might win 10 races. I take my hat off to the syndicators like PuntersHQ who are killing it at the moment, over 150 winners this year in different states. This won't kill syndicates, it will promote the sport, it will get others keen. That is 100 more people going to the track, maybe 300-400 when family and friends gather. Last few times I have been to the track, crowd numbers are quite low. I think the draft is one of the best ideas in years, it is supported by the industry. Not some con man selling terrible pups, pimping them up as champions and delivering bugger all. I am sure some are pissed off they didn't get involve in the draft or put there hand forward. After all only 18 trainers put in to be involved in training the draft dogs Only 4 non trainers put the hands up to lead a team We tried to buy a dog from the Bendigo ready 2 run auctions. Dogs went for crazy dollars, dogs running 24.50 going for 5k. You don't win many races running 24.50 Anyway, you can accept change is here. You can accept the revolution of greyhound syndication or you can just stick your in the sand. ENCOURAGE OWNERSHIP ENCOURAGE THE OWNERS TO GET TO THE TRACK. This is a great sport, We have spent tens of thousands of dollars buying dogs for very little return BUT we will keep spending cause we love to waste money on 30 seconds of enjoyment. |