May'07 - Greyhounds Queensland

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vet Harry
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February winner:
M Youngberg
'I did not make
the dog miss the
kick, but I'll
make sure you
won't miss this
one'
By JOHN HUTCHISON
AFTER reading the letter from Herb
Quinn in the April addition of the Journal, I
feel compelled to respond.
As a recent "addition" to the Queensland
ranks of owners and trainers, having moved
from Melbourne, perhaps my views on the
subject of Albion Park will be viewed as
"rantings from a Mexican".
So first I will try to establish my
credentials, as I feel I am well qualified to
make comment on this topic.
Firstly, I was on the Board on the
Melbourne Greyhound Racing association for
four years, being Vice-President for
part of that time.
I am a qualified Certified
Practicing Accountant, was the
presenter of a greyhound radio show
in Melbourne for two years during
which time I spoke with most
participants of the industry in
Victoria and indeed throughout
Australia,
Ran my own business and as
Managing Director of that business
became probably the biggest sponsor of
greyhound racing throughout Australia. I own
and breed many greyhounds and I hold a Class
one trainers license in Queensland.
I was a representative on the Greyhound
Advisory Panel in Victoria, as well as the
Industry Advisory Group
I admit I do have definite views and I am
not afraid to air those views.
I would rather do that, than speak behind
peoples backs. I have been critical in the past
of Greyhound Racing Victoria and presented
a paper on behalf of the Metropolitan Clubs
in Victoria outlining the overspend in
Administration costs that was happening at
Board level in that State.
(And, by the way, in case you think the
QGRA is not well managed financially - think
again. QGRA receives $11.1 million in
revenue, and pays out $7.75 million in
prizemoney, which means it costs about
$3.35 million to run its business.
In Victoria, GRV receives $36 million in
revenue and pays out only $20 million in
prizemoney, which means it costs a
staggering $16million to run its business.
If it wasn't for the fact that Victoria
receives a slice of the poker machine revenue
- their stake money situation would be lower
than Queensland.)
I have been critical of Brisbane
Greyhound Racing Club for allowing their
club funds to drop dramatically over the past
three years, because there are some critical
decisions to be made regarding the future
venue of greyhound racing, and we will need
every dollar to help with those critical
decisions.
Why have I expressed these views,
knowing it was likely to make me unpopular
with those groups?
Because I am very passionate about
greyhound racing, and I know if we are
financially responsible, if we apply ourselves,
if we are professional in our approach, and
we passionately pursue our goals, greyhound
racing will thrive, and everyone will reap the
rewards that come with that success.
And that passion has driven me to try to
convince everyone in the industry of why it
greyhounds at after 9am. And,
- Friday nights provide little relief from
the problems which arise on a Wednesday
with travel times to the city still difficult and
heat factors still presenting a problem.
What is needed are facilities which are in
closer proximity of the majority of trainers,
and times which suit not only professional
trainers, but also those who have to work.
This can only be achieved by having our
own complex which would allow us to trial
early mornings, weekends etc - at times which
suit our participants.
Not being held to ransom by Harness
Let's build a nest egg of
OUR OWN
is so important for us to have our own home.
The question of whether the Greyhound
industry will or will not stay at Albion Park
is not an easy one.
There are no doubt some political
pressures with regard to that question, and I
will not attempt to address those issues in this
letter.
However, the question of what is RIGHT
for the industry is a very easy one.
There is no doubt greyhound racing needs
a home of its own and the reasons for this are
many.
1 Proper facilities for training, trialing,
educating greyhounds can only be
provided when the facilites are available
exclusively for the greyhound industry.
- To expect trainers to travel into the City
during peak periods with their greyhounds is
ludicrous. T
hese trips can take a very long time and
this jeopardizes the safety of the greyhounds
due to heat and travel stress, both on the
inward journey and the return journey.
- The time taken is also a major
inconvenience for those trainers who are able
to attend during the week, taking much
valuable time out of their day.
- Late morning trials during the week are
totally unfair on the working trainer who is
unable to attend due to work commitments.
- The actual time at which trials are
conducted on a Wednesday is also out of
touch with the requirements of the industry.
The weather in south east Queensland is not
conducive during summer months to trialing
Racing or a Trust which is not in touch with
our requirements.
2 Race dates and times can only have
the flexibility required if we race at a venue
available exclusively for greyhound racing.
- Having your own venue means you can
respond to any requests for a change of time
and date that may be requested by Sky
Channel, without the worry of trying to fit in
with another code. This will help maximize
turnover.
- Having your own venue means you can
switch race venues to maximise turnover.
3 Building a patronage on course can
only be achieved if the venue is located
conveniently
- Expecting your patrons to drive into the
city to attend greyhound racing is a thing of
the past. The population no longer lives within
easy reach of the city due to the urban sprawl
and the increased traffic problems.
The greyhound trainers themselves have
had to move further from the city to keep their
greyhounds, so even the participants are
unable to conveniently reach the current
venue.
- New, emerging communities offer new
opportunities.
Opportunities to provide the families in
these communities an entertainment facility
which they can become part of, entertainment
facilities which do not exist in these new
communities at present.
- Providing world class catering facilities
and restaurant experiences can be part of a
new facility, and can play an important role
in the process of building patronage, helping
to upgrade the image of the industry to one in
which newcomers will be proud to be
involved.
4 Rebuilding participation in
greyhound racing can only be done if the
industry refocuses itself and commences to
build this following from new areas, and
new communities.
- The industry has neglected its needs to
promote itself, and rebuild its customer base
for many years - both here and in every other
state.
This rebuilding can only happen if we take
opportunities that are available and
make the most of them.
As mentioned previously new
communities offer these
opportunities. Greyhound racing
needs to provide a friendly
environment for families and their
children to become introduced to
the greyhound, a "close-up"
encounter with our greyhounds
where they can feel part of the
action, and can experience the
excitement first hand.
These children are the owners and trainers
of the future and unless we introduce them to
our industry we continue to make the same
mistake that has plagued us in the past.
5 Additional revenue sources
- A new facility will provide opportunity
for additional revenue sources such as
catering, venue hire, inside oval hire etc.
which are not available to greyhound racing
at the current venue
- It may also be possible to have a gaming
machine license at a new facility which will
be owned solely by the greyhound industry.
6 Building our own nest egg in land and
associated facilities
- By owning our own land outright we will
provide certainty for the future, and ensure
that any real rise in land values due to the
ever expanding metropolis will remain
directly in the greyhound industry for the
benefit of future generations.
Owning our own facilities ensures that
Greyhound racing has its own home, and will
be able to continue to operate in this facility,
but always knowing that if, in the future it
becomes the right decision to move
elsewhere, the increased value in the land
stays with greyhound racing.
I urge all greyhound people to give their
backing to the current Board, and to Brisbane
Greyhound Racing Club, to negotiate our way
out of Albion Park.
You will never regret having done so.
If you don't believe me - just ask The
Meadows and Sandown.
The (May, 2007) Journal Page 32