Industry Notice: Greyhound procedure for early race requests

What is an early race request?

An ‘early race’ request is made by a trainer who is of the opinion their greyhound may get unnecessarily stressed if kennelled for long periods of time. The request should be made to the Stewards during kennelling, and the Officiating Veterinarian should be notified so an assessment is made before the greyhound’s nominated race.

A greyhound assessed and approved for an early race must be drawn in the first six (6) races at a meeting.

The Officiating Veterinarian should make attempts at periodically assessing if the greyhound has shown signs of stress while being kennelled before its race. Some signs of stress may include:

  • Physiological signs (while in a kennel) such as profuse salivation and increased respiratory rate
  • Destructive behaviour (destroys mat)
  • Constant restlessness/circling/pacing
  • Constant barking/howling/ whimpering/ whining
  • Elevated body temperature >39.5-40.0°C (especially if long period of kennelling)
  • Signs of compulsive disorders (e.g. excessive grooming).

If signs of stress are certified by the Officiating Veterinarian, the Stewards should approve the early race request. Should the Officiating Veterinarian be concerned with the condition of the greyhound and its fitness to compete, then it should be scratched from the event.

Assessment for an early race request

Unless otherwise advised by the on-track Veterinarian, strict criteria will be applied to decide an early race request. This includes:

  1. The Officiating Veterinarian to have confirmed profuse salivation by the greyhound in question when engaged in a race after race six on the program.
  2. The Officiating Veterinarian to have confirmed clinical dehydration using the ‘skin pinch test’ along the dorsum of the trunk, on the greyhound when taken from the kennel, at any time up until the race. This may require the greyhound be re-weighed.
  3. The Officiating Veterinarian to have confirmed hyperthermia in the greyhound when withdrawn from the kennel, revealing a body temperature at or above the range of 39.5C – 40.0C.
  4. A clinical assessment of the greyhound by the Officiating Veterinarian confirms a state of distress and agitation in the greyhound.

Removal of an early race request

Should a greyhound that has been approved as an early race greyhound be drawn into a final or feature event that is programmed later than race six (6) then the following will apply:

  1. The trainer/owner may, with the permission of the Chief Steward, either withdraw the greyhound from the event prior to the official scratching time (and receive a 10-day penalty) or
  2. Proceed with nomination into that event. If the trainer/owner proceeds, then the Steward-in-Charge of the meeting shall ensure that the Officiating Veterinarian conducts an extensive examination of the greyhound prior to the race to ensure its fitness to race.
  3. Providing the greyhound is passed fit to compete the greyhound will then no longer be flagged as an early race greyhound and its record amended in OzChase. The greyhound will be permitted to be re-assessed for an early race request at its next start after the feature event or final.
  4. If the greyhound is passed unfit to run and becomes a late scratching, this greyhound will be unable to nominate for heats or feature events where the final will be conducted after race six (6) for a period of three (3) months. Following this three-month period, the trainer (with the permission of the Chief Steward) may apply in writing to have the greyhound re-assessed.

Any queries please contact the Customer Services Team on 1300 087 021.