GRV, in conjunction with the Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club, will commence a pilot program to test processes associated with Preferential Box Draws in a bid to promote cleaner racing.
The pilot was set to commence earlier this year however was postponed whilst GRV gathered feedback as part of the consultation process around Local Rules.
The pilot has been expanded to three early race categories:
- Railer
- Middle Runner
- Wide Runner
Preferential Box Draws involve greyhounds being placed in one of the three above mentioned categories and three separate box draws being conducted, with the aim of reducing early interference and, ultimately, injuries on the racetrack.
The pilot program may be expanded based on initial testing, feedback and results.
The initial pilot will be held on select Wednesday race meetings at Traralgon over 350m and 395m, alternating the distance at each meeting. The pilot will be for Grade 5 greyhounds only. To accommodate the Preferential Box Draw pilot, an advertised event will be created on select race meetings via the Fast Track calendar.
The first five meetings where preferential box draws will be conducted at Traralgon are as follows:
- Wednesday 25 October (Graded on Monday 23 October) – 350m
- Wednesday 22 November (Graded on Monday 20 November) – 395m
- Wednesday 6 December (Graded on Monday 4 December) – 350m
- Wednesday 13 December (Graded on Monday 11 December) – 395m
- Wednesday 20 December (Graded on Monday 18 December) – 350m
To facilitate the pilot, all greyhounds nominated will be defaulted as ‘Railers’ and on application by the trainer the greyhound can be approved as a middle or wide runner.
Trainers wishing to make an application for a middle or wide draw are required to email [email protected] with the following information:
- Trainer Name
- Trainer Member number
- Greyhound Name
- Greyhound Ear Brand
Trainers must apply prior to nominations closing and, once the application has been approved for a middle or wide runner, this will remain in place until the trainer reassesses the application or the GRV panel deem a change is necessary.
GRV Stewards will then conduct three random manual box draws, one for each category, which would result in eight boxes being assigned.
The number of greyhounds in each box draw would be dependent on how many greyhounds have been assigned as either a railer, middle or wide runner for that particular race.
On some occasions, a box draw within each category would not be required if there were one or less nominations received.
During the pilot, no reserves will be drawn.
For further information or questions please contact [email protected]
