GRV Introduce Statewide Free Trialling

GREYHOUND Racing Victoria (GRV) will introduce free trials at each of its 13 race track's from August 1.

Speaking to Gareth Hall on RSN's Racing Central Monday morning, GRV CEO Alan Clayton said the move, which will keep $1 million in participants pockets  over the next 12 months, had been designed in conjunction with Greyhound Clubs Victoria (GCA).

"The Meadows introduced free trials over a year ago now and it has proven really successful, impacting positively on participants and the welfare of the greyhounds," Clayton said.

"We've been trying to get a free trial program off the ground and can now say that from August 1 trials will be free at all 13 race club's."

Clayton said the initiative will have significant benefits for the industry.

"It will ease the financial pressures faced by participants as well as further improve the welfare of the greyhounds which is so important," Clayton said.

"The program has been designed in collaboration with GCA as part of the stimulus package to sustain our sport and support participants through COVID-19.

"GRV are working towards gathering data and information and hope that this initiative can extend long term past the first 12 months."

Clayton also announced that GRV was increasing its weekly race meeting offering from 23 to 26.

"We need to try and maintain a race program to cater for the dogs available," Clayton said.

"We are blessed with having more dogs at the moment but also need to manage dogs that can't race in South Australia (due to border closures).

"It's really important to understand that these new meetings are funded from new money and is in no way taking away from the existing prizemoney pool.

"What it mean is that new prizemoney is being added into the race program not taken away."