Rule Changes For Problem Greyhounds Imminent

RULES relating to greyhounds marring or failing to pursue the lure are set to be relaxed under proposed changes by Greyhounds Australasia (GA).

The National body is currently in the midst of a consultative period where a raft of changes to the sport's national rules is up for consideration.

Included in that stakeholder consultation is Rule 127 which deals with the period of suspension for greyhounds which either mar or fail to pursue in races.

Currently, a first offence results in a 28-day suspension at the track where the offence occurred and completion of a satisfactory trial.

A second offence would see a three-month suspension incurred at all tracks and the completion of a satisfactory trial while a third and any subsequent offences results in a 12-month suspension.

Under new rules to be ushered in next month, a first offence will incur a 28-day suspension at the track where the offence occurred while a second offence will also carry a 28-day suspension but at all tracks and subject to a satisfactory trial.

A third and any following indiscretions would see a three-month suspension imposed at all tracks with a mandatory two satisfactory trials required before a return to racing.

"The rationale behind this amendment is to enable greyhounds a better opportunity to continue racing should the greyhound be a repeat offender under these rules," said a GA statement.

"Failing to pursue by reason of an injury will still apply if applicable for the first failing to pursue offence only. The term ‘suspension' has been replaced with the term ‘standdown'.

"Also, marring and failing to pursue penalties are no longer dealt with separately, they are now combined. A greyhound's first penalty may be for failing to pursue, its second for marring, and third for failing to pursue, or any combination of the two."

Under the new rules, where a greyhound has both marred and failed to pursue the lure, the offence of marring must be preferred by Stewards.

It's anticipated the new rules will take hold in November.