Welcome to our CEO’s Question and Answer Column, as we enter our third week of lockdown, and I hope everyone, everywhere is staying safe.
I know there is already talk about an extension to the lockdown, but as we have done throughout COVID-19, we will deal with things are they arise. Let me repeat that the idea behind this column is to keep the lines of communication open between Greyhound Racing NSW and those in our industry, be it participants, staff, clubs, or the general public.
It will operate as it did previously, with participants with questions pertaining to the current COVID-19 situation and the lockdown, to email us at the following address: update@grnsw.com.au
As the case was in 2020 when we introduced the column, if there are any significant developments or announcements, they will be published in media releases across our GRNSW network as required, but the aim of this column is to answer any specific or generic questions participants may have.
As I mentioned late last week, I am very pleased to say that we have not been inundated with questions, so hopefully our messaging is going out and filtering through, and our participants clearly know what needs to be done.
We have still received some however, and here are some of those questions our teams at GRNSW have been asked since the lockdown commenced.
1. Q: Hi Tony, why have you closed Wentworth Park? Glebe is no worse than anywhere else in Sydney.
A: I agree with what you have said about Glebe and there are concerns across the Metropolitan area. Wentworth Park is our only track in the heart of the Metropolitan area, and we decided it was prudent to shut the venue, and as such keep all of our participants away from the areas of concern by stopping them from travelling into the CBD to race at Wentworth Park.
2. Q: Hi Tony, I would like to suggest a rise in prize money at ALL tracks this would make it FAIR for everyone. A suggestion could be start at $3000 for 1st for 450m and longer distances and less money for shorter distances. This is would also solve the problem of trainers all trying to nominate at a certain track to Chase the bigger prize money.
A: Thanks for your suggestion. Our racing department is doing a fantastic job in a difficult situation for everyone, and we are spreading the city prizemoney around a variety of tracks outside of the locked down zone. That will continue while the lockdown continues.
3. Q: Tony I try to be as optimistic as I can, but really it’s not looking great for Million Dollar Chase is it?
A: The COVID-19 situation is evolving day by day, and we can only manage what is in front of us right now, and that’s why we made the decision on Sunday to pause racing at Wentworth Park. Naturally we have considered the prospect of a lockdown potentially still being in place when the TAB Million Dollar Chase is scheduled to commence in August, and we have gone through a number of contingency plans, but now is the time to be dealing with the current situation, and any announcement will be made when it is appropriate and required.”
4. Q: Tony why on earth are you closing down the old dogs website?
A: The reason we are closing the old website is because it is an old platform, built on old technology which is now defunct, and which we are unable to service and maintain, and unfortunately it had a lot of limitations. The GRNSW team have been able to build a fantastic new platform - which they have continually worked on since its launch - which is able to meet the requirements of technology today and while we understand the layout on certain pages is a change for our users, and that may have caused some frustrations, we hope that everyone can adapt and embrace the new website, because it truly has some great features.
5. Q: Tony I have heard talk that you may be thinking about or being told to close all the tracks in lockdown zone not just Wentworth Park, to stop people moving around. Is this true?
A: No, it is not true. We have not considered doing that or been told to do anything like that. We are permitted to continue to race in the zone under the current Government restrictions, and the decision to temporarily pause racing at Wentworth Park was our decision not anyone else’s.
6. Q: Tony, a bit off topic and not really a question, but I read in my local paper the other day that GAP have set a new record this year for rehoming.
A: Yes, this is correct. Our final figures for rehoming will be public in a few weeks, but you are right that we have been able to set a new benchmark in 2020-21, well and truly surpassing the record of 1,337 rehomed through Greyhound As Pets’ programs the previous year.
Good luck to all of those participants racing this week, and as I have repeatedly said, these will continue to be difficult times for all, and as an industry, we are all in it together, so I urge you to pick up the phone and call a fellow participant to make sure they are doing ok.
Do not forget if you are struggling with the circumstance at the moment, and you want to talk to someone, please do not hesitate to call and speak with a qualified counsellor at any time by calling 1300 687 327.
Everyone, please adhere to all the restrictions and precautions put in place by the NSW Government and NSW Health, and please keep yourselves and your families safe.
