Forums

Greyhounds

Welcome to Live View – Take the tour to learn more
Start Tour
There is currently 1 person viewing this thread.
casemoney
08 May 20 02:55
Joined:
Date Joined: 04 Aug 06
| Topic/replies: 62,785 | Blogger: casemoney's blog
ohn Coleman speaks out. The retired former leading Wembley and Walthamstow trainer today represents owners on the Greyhound Board

SOMETIMES silence is golden, but obviously not on this occasion so please accept my apology for lack of communication, albeit i have been working on your behalf during these extremely stressful times.

I have expressed my disappointment to the GBGB that, as the Owners’ representative on the Board, I was not asked to be part of the panel looking for the best way to restart racing and, possibly even more surprising, was that neither was the Trainers’ representative - Peter Harnden - as I thought we were both best placed to have an input into those discussions.

From the notices since published by the GBGB it is obvious that little or no consideration was given to Open Racing at this time and I find that astonishing as this aspect of the sport is what keeps the sport ticking over.

I do not expect major opens to be immediately part of the restart, but I certainly expected them to be under consideration in the same way as graded racing.

Making that observation to the CEO today, the response is that the priority is getting graded racing up and running - as that is what the bookmakers want. Which in itself indicates clearly where the power lies.

If the bookmakers are not interested in Open Racing in the short term, it will most certainly come back to haunt them in the long term as breeders will not continue to invest knowing that they would be selling dogs for less than it cost to rear them and, that in turn,  would create a shortage which, over time, would lead to the death knell of greyhound racing.             

Promoters have never been so well off,  especially those under contract to SIS being paid amounts that they could only have dreamed of and are mostly living in dreamland. They are losing sight of what the future may hold for them when these payments come tumbling down as I am certain they will as they become unsustainable.

We have an industry which is fractured with people pulling in different directions and mostly only concerned about themselves, with absolutely no regard to stabilising the sport’s future.                                                                                                             
I have told the GBGB CEO of the importance of treating Open Racing in the same way as graded and have suggested a North and South divide initially to get it kick started whereby all the tracks on the betting industry service should include an agreed number of open races (say two) to accommodate mainly dogs in the hands of Open Race trainers until such time as things hopefully get back to normal.

I can see all the objections on the way:

‘The Bookmakers do not want it’  (they should be flexible at this difficult time).

‘The Promoters cannot afford it’  (who are they kidding?).

‘The travelling distance is a problem’  (are all the graded trainers adjacent to their stadiums?) and all the other excuses to throw a spanner in the works.

It is time for the sport to pull together, forget about your self interests and do something in a way to treat all participants equally and fairly.

Please be aware I am an owner myself with my partner and I share the ownership of seven dogs, so there is no need for anyone to explain to me what the problems are but, if you have any sensible ideas to put forward, I will address them with the Board.

My email is johncoleman1935@gmail.com. 

Good luck and stay safe.

Amazing really Owners Rep and Trainers rep , and the GBGB freeze them out Laugh You cannot make it up ..
Show More
Loading...
Report casemoney May 8, 2020 2:59 AM BST
How can you not Have the OWNERS REP , and the TRAINERS REP involved in the restart Talks

Totally and Utterly beyond belief .....


WTF is actually going on ??
Report casemoney May 8, 2020 3:08 AM BST
https://greyhoundbet.racingpost.com//#news-story/story_id=429838

Mr Bird on how it will all pan out , Don't seem too interested in the Open Racers

Main objective looks like get the Track/trainer owned Cannon fodder  fired round as quick as possible

Must keep the books Happy ..............
Report irishone May 8, 2020 6:56 AM BST
Automatically expected to keep paying the kennel bill
Even though many owners have had it worse than them
Nothing from trainer except the bills
Feck this .....owners at the bottom of the pile
Report the.mad.dog.man May 8, 2020 10:09 AM BST
owners have to be stark raving bonkers to run dogs on bags card owners buy the dogs pay the kennel bills for the BOOKIES BENEFIT lol
Report casemoney May 8, 2020 2:33 PM BST
Tbh I think the Whole game needs Looking at  , we have an opportunity , this Craic of Cannon fodder racing needs stopping,Far too much of it

2 Afternoon and two evening bags plenty ,as for the Insane carry on that will be going at tracks Laugh

Test the staff FFS and everyone Wears a mask , Virtually impossible to spread the Virus ...

Without open racing there is no sport  , Owners do not buy Dogs to be running at some rsole time of the day on a bags card ...

We need a complete Reshuffle , I would start with getting Rid of the GBGB and looking at a new Governing body .........

That is actually representative of the Sport,Why were the Owners Rep and the Trainers Rep not involved in the restart talks ???

The sports value is or was in entertainment , Firing Banged up dogs round tracks for the benefit of Bookmakers is All Wrong

If we lose tracks we lose them, we will not be the only industry to suffer major loss ............
Report casemoney May 8, 2020 2:39 PM BST
MDM a high percentage  of the Dogs on these cards are owned all be it by Proxy, by the Bookmakers

Is that what our sport is all about ??  Things need to change .........
Report ItsMeSwaddle May 8, 2020 2:59 PM BST
Agree its a fantastic chance for a reshuffle.

This would be my model and I get why unpopular with some.

We now assume the bookmakers physical shops are out of the question.


Early in the week:

1 morning card 11am
1 afternoon card 2pm
2 early evening cards 6pm
1 late evening card 8 30pm

Later in week:

2 morning 11am
2 afternoon 2pm
2 evening cards 6pm
2 late evening cards 830pm

And you say why should a trainer be at the track at 11pm?

Well the way things are...would you rather there was no liquid there at 11am and you cant back your dog...or 11pm, its late but there is liquid in the market and you can play your dog.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE can we get rid of the utter dross over 2 bends or atleast half it.
Report clacton May 8, 2020 3:16 PM BST
With your model how many meetings would each track get every week.
Report ItsMeSwaddle May 8, 2020 4:20 PM BST
Sunday nothing late evening so 6 meetings from 10

Monday/Tues/Wed/Thurs moved to 5 cards from 10

Friday 8 cards from 10. Places racing Fri night without the betting the streams if they can generate profit, go for it.

Saturday model has to remain the same in terms of racing for bar/restaurant revenue, 16 odd tracks, 20 cards with the doublers.

So essentially I want to see 54 meetings a week approx not the approximate 80.

A cut by a 1/3rd.

The knock on effect of the current situation might damage to approx a 1/5th anyway?
Report ItsMeSwaddle May 8, 2020 4:23 PM BST
As for the tracks the 1st ones to be effected are those with excessive morning slots.

14 of the cut 26 are coming from there with that model.

Or alternatively there is 21 tracks, start by trimming those with more than 3 meets down a card, your nearly at 54.
Report clacton May 8, 2020 4:31 PM BST
Ive read that half a dozen times. Ive not got a clue what you are talking about.
How many meetings will, lets say Romford have. Then Crayford.
Report sparrow May 8, 2020 5:32 PM BST
We need to go back to what it was like in the past with tracks having 2 meetings a week with 8 race cards. Distances to be varied with more distance races for graded dogs as well as the opens. That might just give the sport a chance of survival for the future.
Report clacton May 8, 2020 5:45 PM BST
2 meetings a week with 8 races, thats 96 dogs. What a disaster that would be.
Paul Young has probably 200 dogs. How many of his dogs would get a run every week.
Tracks would all close if they follow your model.
Think about what you are proposing, its nonsense.
Report sparrow May 8, 2020 5:55 PM BST
2 meetings a week with 8 races was the norm when I first went greyhound racing and the ridiculous saturation that we see now will kill the game stone dead in a year or two. There is simply too much racing in this country and these 14 race meetings consisting of nothing more than 2 and 4 bend races is a recipe for disaster.
Report clacton May 8, 2020 6:08 PM BST
So you want dogs to have one run every month then. If that. No good worrying about what happened years ago.
Some tracks have 500 dogs, what they going to do with all them. Owners wont want to pay for dogs that hardly get a run.
Your way will kill the game off quicker.
Report sparrow May 8, 2020 6:12 PM BST
Well I have put forward a suggestion for the future which you consider nonsense but what would you suggest for the survival of the sport?
Report ItsMeSwaddle May 8, 2020 6:15 PM BST
Sorry i was unclear, you are both correct.

There is basically no option other than to give every dog of the 500 a run until the end of their career, its only "fair" imo.

To me they need to be letting people knowing going forward that will gradually purposefully drop to less dogs so we get less meetings.

Make it clear that in 2 years time d3 and d4 along with a11 a10 a9 a8 etc wont exist.

The welfare side would have to be spot with dogs that fall into this category, but its doable if the sport stops pandering to the bookies going forward.

Clacton if your an owner or trainer...does it really make too much difference if you have 5 dogs that run for £200 prize money or 10 that run for £100?
Report sparrow May 8, 2020 6:17 PM BST
I did not say one run per month as I believe there are simply too many dogs involved at the present time and there is a need to cut back on the numbers. If that is what you prefer then I'm afraid you will soon be disappointed but I will wait for your suggestion.
Report clacton May 8, 2020 6:20 PM BST
divide 500 by 96.
Report sparrow May 8, 2020 6:28 PM BST
I know what you are saying about the present situatiion but I am saying that things need to change.
So I assume you have no alternative to what is happening now?
Report clacton May 8, 2020 6:33 PM BST
Its now that matters. Would you like to pay £60 a week and get one run a month. Work it out.
Imagine Romford having all open races on Friday. The graders get one meeting.
You are just going to stop people buying dogs.
Thats disaster
Report sparrow May 8, 2020 6:36 PM BST
Yes I know you think it is a disaster yet you refuse to offer any suggestion yourself.
Report sparrow May 8, 2020 6:38 PM BST
How long have you been going Greyhound Racing?
Report clacton May 8, 2020 6:41 PM BST
It cant change overnight. It can only stay as it is.
It may not be right but its what it is.
Tell me would you pay £60 a week and get one run a month.
The sport needs more owners not less.
The first Derby I saw was Ballylanigan Tanist in 1951. How about you.
I dont live in the past like you are trying to do.
Report sparrow May 8, 2020 6:51 PM BST
Well clacton you have been longer than me and probably longer than anyone else on the forum.
I really am amazed that you think the present situation should stay as it is. The game is dying a death and it's only a matter of time before it all virtually disappears and we will end up with just a couple of provincial tracks being run like flapping tracks. My first Derby was Pigalle Wonder by the way.
Report now wheres that switch!!! May 8, 2020 6:59 PM BST
I was of really missing the game at the beginning of this lockdown.. however gradually I have started watching and dabbling in a few races in Australia after much watching and looking at their sites. What an eye opener.. proper prize money.. safe open galloping tracks a plenty... inside hare which can’t be jibbed at bends like over here. All info regarding sectionals and times instantly available as they cross the line and decent money in the markets.
It shows our game over here for what it is.. poorly run by the GBGB, far too many trainer/owned dogs, racing put on for bookmakers only ( which will mean all the 2 bend racing and sprint h’caps are here to stay) along with them being able to take the bowser round whenever they like. This cannot be sustained.. move to a tote system and take control back of the product. Anyone who wants to get on can have what they like on via the exchanges. All of those trying to win a few peanuts early mornings by taking a wrong price, they can find another vocation.
Report clacton May 8, 2020 6:59 PM BST
I didnt say it should stay as it is. But it wont change. The dogs are there ready to race. Do you want to kill half of them.
If the bookmakers pull the plug the sport is fooked. They are the ones who put the money in.
The less meetings, the less money they put in.
Thats not how it should be but thats what we got.
Report clacton May 8, 2020 7:08 PM BST
People have been saying the sport is finished for as long as I can remember. Well its still here with thousands of dogs.
Report sparrow May 8, 2020 7:13 PM BST
Obviously it can't change overnight but change it must if the sport is to have any chance of survival. You are right about the bookmakers but they are not going to escape the Coronavirus Crisis unscathed and will be looking for cuts themselves. Greyhound racing cannot just rely on bookmakers to secure it's future and has to have a plan of it's own.
Tne next few years are crucial and standing still is not an option we have to change and begin a gradual process of reducing these 14 race cards of endless 2 and 4 bend monotonous dross that is currently being served up.
Report wedge1 May 8, 2020 7:13 PM BST
Clacton
I put you at over 80 and I respect my elders
sparrow you have been around longer than me
not by much
understand gents the game will never be like it was
no matter who has the input
sparrow your obvious dislike of 2 bend races is not lost on the likes of me
also your desire to see more staying races
Clacton as a person with a view I respect I make you 80% right
unfortunately I know I should of left this sinking ship years back but even now I am still on board
the only salvation for this game is the gambling perspective
do the bookies worry about saturation do they feck
Report sparrow May 8, 2020 7:19 PM BST
To be honest clacton I don't know how anyone who remembers the 50s,60s and 70s can even tolerate what is happening now. I used to go racing 3 and 4 days a week when I lived in London but to go racing now I find almost boring.
Report clacton May 8, 2020 7:21 PM BST
Wedge You put me at over 80 and 80% right. Suppose thats not too bad. I dont know how you put me at over 80 but you got it right.
LaughLaughLaugh
Report clacton May 8, 2020 7:24 PM BST
Its not the same as years ago but things change. In them days after the war there were thousands at White City every meeting.
They didnt have to rely on bookmakers to finance the sport. Im not happy with the way its gone but it wont change.
Report HGS May 8, 2020 7:31 PM BST
How many of these thousands of dogs are trainer/kennel/track owned now? Even as late as the 90's I would think hardly any kennel dogs weren't outside owned. Now, so many stadiums closed. Attendance and atmosphere totally changed.  3 or 4 books if you're lucky. Tote with fek all in it. Is it any wonder? Other than Towcester, very doubtful, almost definite that we will never have any new stadiums opening and even more of the reverse. Lets face it, the whole show is pretty much bookie run now and nowt is gonna change that. If and when they pull the plug, turn the lights off. Sad
Report casemoney May 8, 2020 7:33 PM BST
This needs to be taken as an Opportunity , To Cut back on racing and Not return to the total nonsense racing we had , We are without doubt going to lose a percentage of Dogs following this Crisis , We need to Focus on Quality not Quantity Get those who can back trialing ASAP, anything Else to Follow , GBGB have been squandering the Fund for years and their Main interest  is the fund coming in , and Keeping the Books happy so it continues ... We need a new leadership , Tracks should be streaming their own Feeds with advertising , and a small charge to View , Tow coverage
was Brilliant , with no fee ...  Any books wanting to take the Feed pay a percentage to each track  from bets Struck , We need to concentrate
on the Product that we want for Greyhound racing not the Product that is being provided to the Books , Its scandalous what has been going on Over the past couple of years , Sparrow spot on far too many race meetings ... It has Ended up that we need Bookmakers to Continue racing , it is all Wrong ..............
Report casemoney May 8, 2020 7:37 PM BST
Be van loads arriving at RGT  centers Sad A very sad state of Affairs H
Report HGS May 8, 2020 7:39 PM BST
Reform would be great case, but these books ain't gonna allow it. What they had is what they want and plenty of it. All or nothing imo.
Report casemoney May 8, 2020 7:41 PM BST
The PROBLEM has been our Leaders , we have ended up with Shyte because of the GBGB they run the show have had years to try to sort something

They came up with the Cannon Fodder bags product .......
Report casemoney May 8, 2020 7:44 PM BST
JC is spot on No Open racing the Sport goes under , Big hitters paying plenty for Dogs Keeps the Breeding industry Afloat , they cant all be derby winners we know this . but speculation has always driven the sport ...
Report sparrow May 8, 2020 7:45 PM BST
clacton 08 May 20 18:21 
Wedge You put me at over 80 and 80% right. Suppose thats not too bad. I dont know how you put me at over 80 but you got it right.






Clacton......The clue was Ballylanigan Tanist in 1951.
Report clacton May 8, 2020 8:00 PM BST
I was 13 at the time. I backed the first 5 winners if I remember rightly. Cool
Report sparrow May 8, 2020 8:04 PM BST
clacton....My dad used to take me to White City in the 1950s when he worked as a clerk for Johnnie White senior and I would be 11 years old when Pigalle Wonder won the Derby.
Report the.mad.dog.man May 8, 2020 8:34 PM BST
white city what a greyhound stadium iv got the steptoe and son vidio only cos its got white city in it the tote clocks the track the stadium loved the place
Report the bairn May 8, 2020 9:11 PM BST
one idea i've always muted for, is the bigger stadiums should try to get a casino on site, that could bring in new customers, especially wives and girlfriends, could generate more revenue, be great if Towcester started it off, they have the capacity to do it, a track like Shawfield whose patronage is poor but has huge space would thrive, just a thought. cheers.
Report the bairn May 8, 2020 9:28 PM BST
^^^mooted.^^cheers.
Report sparrow May 8, 2020 9:29 PM BST
the bairn.....We had a casino at Clapton Stadium back in the 60s and it was very popular.
Report casemoney May 8, 2020 9:35 PM BST
Casino horse tracks in the States flourishing , many with a Hotel on site as well
Report casemoney May 8, 2020 9:37 PM BST
There has to be another way , The sport is being held at Ransom by the Books , Those on the gravy train quite happy to carry on as is ...
Report the.mad.dog.man May 8, 2020 10:04 PM BST
there was a casino at hendon greyhound track after racing was a lot of people there
Report casemoney May 9, 2020 2:59 AM BST
Sheffield Napoleons , How are sheff doing ??
Report ItsMeSwaddle May 9, 2020 8:02 PM BST
Theyve got the settup all badly wrong there imo, could be very very good.
Report irishone May 9, 2020 8:55 PM BST
Clacton "it cant change overnight"

Wrong.
It changed over night when covid turned up.
Report clacton May 10, 2020 10:36 AM BST
Nothing has changed. There are still thousands of dogs waiting to run. Bookmakers will still want a race every 5 minutes.
You tell me what has or will change.
Report irishone May 10, 2020 1:10 PM BST
Thats not my point
Just saying that accepting the situation with the "it is what it is" statement
Means you dont want to see change or accept it.... Which you have proved to be so.
Also one questions your motives or your incentive
Hobbsy and the fat controller regularly pass things off with that statement because they are funded by the bookies

Good job they werent around when hitler invaded poland
Report clacton May 10, 2020 1:48 PM BST
Im not saying its perfect, but it wont change for the reasons I stated. I have not said I dont want it to change but if you think anything will then you are in dreamland.
The only reason the game keeps going is because bookmakers get what they want, Without them there is no income. Maybe you can tell me how that can change.
Report clacton May 10, 2020 1:54 PM BST
What are the changes you want. Tell me
Report now wheres that switch!!! May 10, 2020 2:07 PM BST
Don’t think much is going to change.. but don’t think open racing is the big draw it used to be. Would have to question people paying tens of thousands for dogs when the “showcase” event is run at a gaff like Nottingham for p$$ poor money. Sadly I feel what we have had recently is going to be the norm.
On a side note.. I’ve asked this on another thread.. just which rules would be being broken if greyhound racing started up again this week? Obviously not possible.. but can’t see any rules/legal basis for why it couldn’t happen
Report clacton May 10, 2020 2:14 PM BST
People who want change never have any answers how to change it. Thats why it wont change.
When there were thousands going through the turnstiles the tracks could live without giving the power to the bookmakers.
Look at Harlow for instance when its on RPTV. Its empty. So who pays the prize money?  The bookmakers.
Gonna be a clever man to change that. It wont happen
Report clacton May 10, 2020 2:43 PM BST
Come on Irishone, you want change, lets hear it.
Report clacton May 10, 2020 3:34 PM BST
Irishone your aggresive post questionning my motives and wanting no changes, then the usual crap about Hobbsy, and then the bollocks about Hitler invading Poland. If thats the best you can do then best you stay in Dreamland.
You have had plenty of time to say what changes you want. As usual you cant name any. You just talk crap with no substance.
Report wedge1 May 10, 2020 4:19 PM BST
clacton
10 May 20 14:34
Joined: 28 Oct 04 | Topic/replies: 1,913 | Blogger: clacton's blog
Irishone your aggresive post questionning my motives and wanting no changes, then the usual crap about Hobbsy, and then the bollocks about Hitler invading Poland. If thats the best you can do then best you stay in Dreamland.
You have had plenty of time to say what changes you want. As usual you cant name any. You just talk crap with no substance.

that deserves an answer
from my point of view 
but until I know what b j says I will reserve my response
Report clacton May 10, 2020 4:27 PM BST
Who's bj. Boris Johnson?  Whats he got to do with dog racing. Are you for real.
What a prat you are, Just go away.
Report wedge1 May 10, 2020 4:53 PM BST
Clacton
a pratt I maybe I was actually taking your stance but before the pm or bj as probably sums it talks I reserve my response like I previously pointed out I respect my elders but if you wish to abuse my thoughts in the meantime that's fine by me
Report irishone May 11, 2020 9:08 AM BST
For a start clacton i would want positive leadership and transparency from the gbgb and then trainers and owners fully represented on the board.

Then i would want the bookmakers owning tracks much more tightly regulated.

Not interested in personal insults to you clacton, but the sport is on its knees because of the "it is what it is " and people failing to move with the times
Report irishone May 11, 2020 9:18 AM BST
Then there is greyhound welfare. That issue that the current gbgb put at the forefront of their policy ....bollux


Dogs running three times in ten days.....ban it


Trainers that dont train
Letting the track do what they should be doing ....reduce average kennel numbers per kennel hand

Then there is track manipulation
Do the dogs come first ?  All track treatment to be logged,verified and controlled.

Then there is the issue of transparency. Who is making the dosh if it aint the trainers or the owners ?
Report irishone May 11, 2020 9:26 AM BST
The biggest problem clacton
Is that greyhound racing has become too much of a business

So any move to get it back to being a sport
Would be very very welcome

I refer here to reversing back to the sports roots
More trainers more owners
Smaller family operations
Where the greyhounds are pets as well as racers

Yep ....dreamland...but here in galway
Report irishone May 11, 2020 9:34 AM BST
Clacton
You say nothing has changed
You are not right
How long has covid had greyhound racing locked down over there

This virus.
Has shown
That things we never imagined happening can and DO happen

It has changed, theres no fecking racing !!!!!
Report now wheres that switch!!! May 11, 2020 10:56 AM BST
All this in fighting within the forum sums up the sport at present!! Everyone should be pulling together more than ever right now. I’m not sure why they have not started trialling already as it wouldn’t be breaching any lockdown rules. They could have continued racing, but the GBGB bottled it for fear of how it would look to those outside the sport...
those outside the sport will never like it.. so just crack on!!
Report wedge1 May 11, 2020 11:48 AM BST
in my eyes now that golf and fishing are back from Wednesday
albeit with sensible measures in place
the hounds will start trials
once they can agree on the safe practice at the sough
Report clacton May 11, 2020 12:04 PM BST
You dont say where all the money is coming from for all these wonderful ideas.
The only place is from bookmakers and they then demand how the sport is run.
Ive never said its right but it wont change.
Thats all im saying about it because its not going anywhere.
Report ItsMeSwaddle May 11, 2020 6:31 PM BST
Clac theoretically...

If someone said to you...your dogs can run 3 times in 10 days for £100 a winner, £20 if you dont win.

Or you can run 3 times in 30 days for £500 a winner and £100 a loser...which would you take?

Blatant pros and cons are more chances to gamble your dogs but then more chance of an injury also.


Just to tie in with the other thread..I think a lot more people would be interested in owning if becoming a race was a big deal.
Report wedge1 May 11, 2020 7:14 PM BST
ItsMeSwaddle
11 May 20 17:43
Joined: 19 Oct 15 | Topic/replies: 5,429 | Blogger: ItsMeSwaddle's blog
An idea i would lean towards is grade every dog at the start of the calendar month.

Lets say you have 36 A5 dogs attached to the track that are fit.

Top two win the normal dire prize money they usually would do but at-least into the next round of the A5 comp.

Then 2 races acting as semi finals with all the qualifiers in.... 6 qualify from that for a final...winner of this round gets a little more than the 1st round ...

Then a final with a cash incentive to win it, not loads, but something worth having...double upgrade to the winner and downgrades for 1st round losers or something like that....

Maybe a floored plan...but just serve up anything apart from the 12-14 race dross cards all 2 and 4 bends...all terrible prize money.....make people want to tune in next week.


this will have more relevance here
I for one would not you grading my graders
Report ItsMeSwaddle May 11, 2020 7:21 PM BST
Just anything rather than what we have currently?

How can it possibly be any worse bar not having the sport at all?
Post Your Reply
<CTRL+Enter> to submit
Please login to post a reply.

Wonder

Instance ID: 13539
www.betfair.com