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March of the Veterans
Bruce Teague Australia (Verified User) Posts 2092 Dogs 0 / Races 0 24 Oct 2019 04:27
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Here's something I wrote just on 6 years ago in ARG. Around then, Victoria was programming regular Veterans races in an effort to keep more of the population in work but other states were not so active, treating them only as a circus event, if that. The timing coincided with yet another of the ABC's biased efforts to splatter mud all over the code.
"Marvellous to see old stager Burnt Fuse 4 years 8 months rack up its 37th win from 97 starts at Ballarat, running a best-of-night 22.27 in doing it. And an equally smart 30.43 at Cranbourne by Rockadore at 4 years 2 months.
There should be more Veterans races in other states. They are all win-win, especially for owners. They would also do no harm to the industry image, given the nonsense being pushed at the moment by the ABC and so-called animal lovers, who come out of the woodwork on these occasions.
With an energetic national program organised, the opportunity would be there to tie it in with Masters series in other sports, just as the Miata-Black Caviar association returned huge dividends. The stories would be endless.
Go for it!"
To check on current practice, I had a look at nationwide TAB racing last week (Oct14-20). Here are the proportions of all races dedicated to Veterans - or Masters as some decided to call them.
NSW 10% Queensland (SEQ only) 10% Tasmania 3% Victoria
Kevin Wright Australia (Verified User) Posts 5708 Dogs 1 / Races 1 24 Oct 2019 05:06
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Bruce Teague wrote:
Here's something I wrote just on 6 years ago in ARG. Around then, Victoria was programming regular Veterans races in an effort to keep more of the population in work but other states were not so active, treating them only as a circus event, if that. The timing coincided with yet another of the ABC's biased efforts to splatter mud all over the code.
"Marvellous to see old stager Burnt Fuse 4 years 8 months rack up its 37th win from 97 starts at Ballarat, running a best-of-night 22.27 in doing it. And an equally smart 30.43 at Cranbourne by Rockadore at 4 years 2 months.
There should be more Veterans races in other states. They are all win-win, especially for owners. They would also do no harm to the industry image, given the nonsense being pushed at the moment by the ABC and so-called animal lovers, who come out of the woodwork on these occasions.
With an energetic national program organised, the opportunity would be there to tie it in with Masters series in other sports, just as the Miata-Black Caviar association returned huge dividends. The stories would be endless.
Go for it!"
To check on current practice, I had a look at nationwide TAB racing last week (Oct14-20). Here are the proportions of all races dedicated to Veterans - or Masters as some decided to call them.
NSW 10% Queensland (SEQ only) 10% Tasmania 3% Victoria
Bruce you are remarkable ....
Your an idea's man a big thinker we can all see that Bruce now why dont you start a Blog so others can share in your many experiences ...Maybe you will be known as a Social Media Influencer now wouldn't that be a super title to now have Bruce ...Bruce the Social Media Influencer and Guru has a nice ring to it Bruce
Steven Martin Australia (Verified User) Posts 7681 Dogs 180 / Races 66 24 Oct 2019 09:25
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All bullsh1t aside, MASTERS racing (as we know which is for the out-class, old and the weary) should have been covered back when the Stud-Book was first introduced in 1932....but speed & wealth has always blindsided the thought.....along with technology and all the advances with transport etc. I/we could go on.
It's nobody's fault unless a crystal ball was present, but if introduced it could & would have transformed the sport as we know it today. Especially in the HeyDays of the late 70's, 80's.
Old dogs were simply out-classed, out-graded & full of injuries....so they were retired when they could have been doing what they love in their own class.
Rod Hampton Australia Posts 1627 Dogs 2993 / Races 11820 24 Oct 2019 10:14
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A lot of us are old & outclassed ! lol
John Little Australia (Verified User) Posts 56 Dogs 5 / Races 0 24 Oct 2019 10:31
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Bring them to Mt Gambier on a thursday, doesn't matter how old or how slow, if they come from interstate they'll get a gig
Sandro Bechini Australia (Verified User) Posts 19488 Dogs 15268 / Races 1856 24 Oct 2019 11:02
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Having more Masters class races delays the progress to retirement and at the front end it delays the need to breed more litters to take their place
They are very crucial in expanding the lifecycle of the racing greyhound and its transition to its eventual retirement and rehoming and/or breeding career
I reckon they are great options
Bruce Teague Australia (Verified User) Posts 2092 Dogs 0 / Races 0 24 Oct 2019 20:18
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For some reason the bottom of my table was omitted. Missing are ...
Victoria
Ronald George Hunter Australia (Verified User) Posts 4318 Dogs 0 / Races 0 25 Oct 2019 08:45
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Sounds like a lot of "rehash" to me!
Bruce Teague Australia (Verified User) Posts 2092 Dogs 0 / Races 0 29 Oct 2019 23:43
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steven martin wrote:
All bullsh1t aside, MASTERS racing (as we know which is for the out-class, old and the weary) should have been covered back when the Stud-Book was first introduced in 1932....but speed & wealth has always blindsided the thought.....along with technology and all the advances with transport etc. I/we could go on.
It's nobody's fault unless a crystal ball was present, but if introduced it could & would have transformed the sport as we know it today. Especially in the HeyDays of the late 70's, 80's.
Old dogs were simply out-classed, out-graded & full of injuries....so they were retired when they could have been doing what they love in their own class.
Steven,
I think you are for the suggestion. However, surely over the years greyhound husbandry and all that embraces has improved the lot of the aging dog? That would imply that trainers have got better at it as well.
There were a number of reasons I raised the subject although economics would probably lead the way.
That aside, my observations are that (a) the aged dog often maintains its overall speed/time although it may well run slightly slower early sectionals, (b) on provincial tracks the Veteran's time is often at or close to the BON, (c) I hear repeated claims that Joe or Jack is dead keen to get out of the kennel and have a race again, (d) a few keep adding to their earnings even in non-veteran company, (e) it delays the inevitable re-homing hassles and (f) the fans like to see their old favourites go around.
Possibly a contributing factor is that the older dog knows it way around, has not lost its confidence, and will avoid much of the trouble which works against youngsters.
While everything relies on the skills of the trainer there are just too many positives to do less than push the cause strongly.
For example, I once suggested that state authorities should insist that every club run one a month, two a month or whatever so as to provide a clear perspective to owners and trainers.
If you need help or advice about a dog you are retiring then this is the place for you.
