July'07 - Greyhounds Queensland

GRAQ/BGRC reject 395mhandler catchingLast month the QGBOTA wrote to theGRAQ and Brisbane GRC and proposed thathandlers be allowed to catch their dogs in395m races on Fridays with the addition of adedicated pathway built to the catching bay.We have received a reply from both andunfortunately both rejected the suggestion.In the letter from the GRAQ, Mr BeavisGeneral Manager of the GRAQ, states that:"Mr Ryan advised there are materialdifferences between the catching pen area atthe Gold Coast and Brisbane Club. Mr Ryanalso advised he had verbally addressed theissue on a number of occasions with variousmembers of the QGBOTA.The Authority is concerned havinghandlers running between the starting boxesand the catching pen is not in their bestinterests, given some may be aged or infirmedand the ground between the two areas isSo You Want to be aGreyhoundContact: GRA of Qldon (07) 32627800or PO Box 250 Albion, Q, 4010Brad NewmanGBOTA Newsuneven. It could pose a public liability riskand subject the industry to hefty premiumsand in the case of an accident and resultingclaim, the payment of a considerable excessby the Club and/or the Authority.The Brisbane Club has been consulted onthe matter and it too is firmly opposed to anychanges to the current system.The Authority appreciates the problemsTrainerAll New!GreyhoundTraining Bookof obtaining sufficient catchers for theseevents but the matter of safety and risk is ahigher concern."We are disappointed with the response.Especially when our proposal stipulated thenecessity of improvements such as adequateaccess from the starting boxes to the catching$22(incls GST)plus $5 Postage and Handlingpen in the form of a new path to minimiseand avoid any risk.We can only hope these types ofconsiderations for the benefit of greyhoundowners and trainers are truly taken on boardto form the foundations of any newlydeveloped greyhound track.The QGBOTA will be pursuing thisvigorously and would welcome any inputfrom owners and trainers about both trackconsideration and also every day clubimprovements.Member JackpotThe QGBOTA Trainers Jackpot will soonbe kicking off for the 2007/08 year.The Jackpot will begin on August 4 atCapalaba, the amendment is as a result of ourrule that you must be a financial member ofthe QGBOTA for one month before the race.With our renewal date being June 30,giving us only one week until our original firstjackpot race, it was obvious we needed topush it back for another month.The QGBOTA has earmarked a selectionof races at four tracks (Brisbane, Gold Coast,Ipswich and Capalaba.) which will have ajackpot starting at $50 riding on it.If the trainer of the winning dog of theseraces is a QGBOTA member they will winthe jackpot, if the winning trainer is not amember of the QGBOTA the $50 will jackpotto the next allocated race at the same raceclub next month.The jackpot at each club will beindependent of each other, so the QGBOTAwill in effect be running 4 jackpots, one foreach club, once a month.Each club will be given a week of themonth, with Capalaba being week 1, GoldCoast week 2, Ipswich week 3 and AlbionPark week 4. We will be placing posters ofthe fixture list and rules at clubs soon.The QGBOTA is excited about thisjackpot program and we would like as manytrainers involved as possible, so we invite youto become a member of the QGBOTA for $10(single) or $15 (family) and not only beinvolved in the jackpot but also help supportand be a part of our organisation.BBQ PRICE CHANGESPrice changes are unfortunately a headlinewe are reading very often these days.With rising costs of supplies and stock forthe BBQ over the past few years we have beenforced to increase our prices to compensate.The purpose of our BBQ is two fold. Tomake a profit, so we can then reinject it backinto the industry and to provide a service toowners and trainers while trialling.Our BBQ team of volunteers donate theirtime and effort every Friday and it is theirhard work that allows the QGBOTA toinstigate new promotions such as our TrainerJackpot.The new BBQ prices effective July 6.Sausage Burger - $3.50Hamburger - $3.50Steak Burger - $5Steak and Egg Burger - $5.50Steak, Bacon and Egg Burger - $7Extra Egg - 50cExtra Bacon - $1Cold drinks - $1.50 (No increase.)Tea/coffee - $1.50 (In a new bigger cup!)So if you are trialling or racing on a Fridayevening, come down and support theQGBOTA BBQ, it's not only quality food butall the profits go back into the industry.GENERAL MEETINGThe next General Meeting of theQGBOTA has been set down for August 6.When: 6:30pm, August 6.Where: Albion Park Members Bar.Please check the latest issue of the Journalif you are ever unsure of dates set down forGeneral Meetings, they will always bepublished in advance.The (July, 2007) Journal Page 28