KENNEL NOTES. Wednesday 25 October 2017 Issue: 41. Inside News QUICK JAGGER FASTEST INTO ALL STARS SPRINT FROM THE DESK...

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1 KENNEL NOTES Wednesday 25 October 2017 Issue: 41 QUICK JAGGER FASTEST INTO ALL STARS SPRINT Track record holder Quick Jagger bounced back to his best to claim is first victory in almost three months when he took out a heat of the All Stars Sprint (520m) at Cannington last Saturday. The speedy black and white chaser will head into this weekend s Group 2 final as the fastest qualifier after winning in a slippery Following a typically sluggish jump Quick Jagger came from midfield to surge into the lead before rolling on to score nearly three lengths. Quick Jagger was one of two heat winners for trainer Chris Halse along with West On Maisie, which ran down Perth Cup winning greyhound Equanimity to steal a narrow victory. Mendoza Monelli was an impressive winner in his heat. The David Hobby-trained chaser landed in the middle of the field in the early stages but quickly found top gear. Once he had captured the front-running position he kicked away to cross the line more than five lengths ahead in Aeroplane Bob snapped an eleven race losing sequence to claim the other heat. The experienced black chaser from Terry Erenshaw s kennels finished strongly to win by a length in Inside News My OzChase Melbourne Cup Kennelling Times Cannington Mondays From The Stewards Public Trials Trainee Lure Driver Top Gun Stayers Box 1 Specials FROM THE DESK... NOEL REILLY Greyhounds WA welcomes a fundraising initiative that will be held at Cannington on 4 November The fundraiser is to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease Association of Western Australia (MNDAWA). MNDAWA s mission is to deliver preeminent specialist support to enhance quality of life, raise awareness and promote research for people living with Motor Neurone Disease. MNDAWA puts the needs of people living with MND at the centre of decision making ensuring they will be given the best possible service at all times. The fundraiser is driven by a group known as Delaney s Donkeys, a community of families and friends that have experienced one of its own becoming a victim of this insidious disease. The Donkeys chose Cannington as a venue based on the experience of the Wednesday night buffet during school holidays at the Old Cannington venue, a regular feature on the group s social calendar, for the families to get together and enjoy a night s racing. What is really pleasing is that the Community TAB will team up with Greyhounds WA for this initiative. The Community TAB program has been running since early 2015, and since then has seen over $360,000 raised for not-for-profit organisations around WA through partnerships with race clubs. Community TAB partners with race clubs in WA to raise funds at major race days for local not-for-profit organisations and matches dollar for dollar up to $5,000. RWWA recognises race clubs across WA play an important role in their community contributing both economically and socially, and partnerships like these are an example of the strong connection race clubs have with the communities in which they operate. The Community TAB program is a worthwhile initiative that Greyhounds WA sees both value in community engagement and providing support to charitable organisations that would not normally be involved with our industry or our code. The fundraiser night will consist of a paid function with each ticket contributing $15 to MNDAWA, as well as offering race names at a modest contribution to bolster fundraising opportunity. The event will be held on the upper level of Box 1. It is a great opportunity for industry to support this cause by popping up and engaging with the event.

2 MY OZCHASE UPDATE Are you a licensed greyhound participant in WA and not verified yourself as a MyOzChase user after receiving an from RWWA a few months ago, or haven t heard about MyOzChase yet? MyOzChase, the new online portal for greyhound racing industry participants, provides an easy way for participants in the Greyhound Racing Industry to perform transactions online that previously had to be completed manually and via paper-based Forms. The portal will also improve communications between participants and Greyhound Racing Controlling Bodies. The MyOzChase website is not only designed for use on PC s and laptops, but is also compatible with most versions of Android and ios mobile devices, tablets and ipads, thus supporting industry interaction on-the-go. MyOzChase currently offers the following functionality to users who register, obtain a log-in and complete a once-off identity verification prior to transacting online with their Controlling Body: Online updates of personal, address and financial details View all their associated greyhounds (as an Owner, Trainer, Custodian, etc.) Submit Notifications of Retirement for greyhounds Submit Trainership and/or Kennel changes for greyhounds (replacing the current Kennel Notification or Notice of Training / Removal Form) Link through to the Online Nominations website (for Trainers only) Enhancements have been made to the system since it became operational mid-year. Filtering and sorting has been added to the My Greyhounds screen to allow users to break down the list of greyhounds on display. Just a reminder that your My Greyhound list shows any greyhound to which you currently have an association with (as an Owner, Trainer or Custodian according to the data available in OzChase), so you may need to retire, change Trainership or change kennels on some of them. Further enhancements will be made to some of the current screens as we strive to provide improved functionality to industry participants. Development work is currently in progress on the transfer of un-named greyhounds which should be available to MyOzChase users in the near future. Other functionality being developed includes a simple notification process to users and the ability to submit greyhound naming applications and whelping notices online. Work also continues behind the scenes to cater for online payments which, once available, will allow many transactions that involve financial payments to be made available online. The functionality to be available on MyOzChase will increase over time to offer some, or all, of the following: Submit and pay for transfers of named greyhounds Submit and pay for new licences Submit and pay for licence renewals Submit (and pay, if applicable in a particular State) for new Ownership Group or Syndicate applications Submit nomination of a Dam to be registered for breeding purposes Submit request for breeding exemptions for a Dam Submit request for breeding leases Submit and pay for litter registrations Submit and pay for duplicate Greyhound ID Card, Pink Card or Person Licence Cards Submit and pay for non-fsi breeding services

3 Pay a fine or late fee Update greyhound vaccination details Upload a new photo as an update to personal details Access to various reports, such as view prize money split, view nominated greyhounds in account, etc. Deliver tailored, State-specific content to participants via their preferred method of communication (including the ability to opt in or opt out of future communications) Submit scratchings (some States only) Integrate Online Nominations and related functions into the MyOzChase website. Additional information will become available on MyOzChase in the future to allow the general public, who register to use the website, to: Search for a greyhound in the system and be able to view a summarised list of greyhound data View race performances for a selected greyhound View the Trainer database (only those who have agreed to have their details published) to seek the services of a Trainer for a greyhound. For more information about MyOzChase, please visit or contact the RWWA Licensing & Registrations Department on (08) or licreginfo@rwwa.com.au. MELBOURNE CUP DAY KENNELLING AND QT S The Melbourne Cup Day meeting will be conducted at Mandurah on Tuesday 7 November. The race meeting details are as follows: Kennelling between 1.00pm 2.00pm First race 3.13pm Qualifying Trials will be scheduled at this meeting and will be run as per usual in between the end of kennelling and the first race. CANNINGTON MONDAY MEETINGS With the Northam season coming to an end on October 30 the Monday racing focus moves to Cannington during the warmer months. A mix of Country races over the 275m, 520m, 600m & 715m races will be programmed. Kennelling times for Monday 6/11 and 13/11 will be 4:15pm 5:15pm Kennelling times for Monday 20/11 and 27/11 will be 4:45pm 5:45pm The 4:45pm 5.45pm kennelling times will be the normal times throughout the rest of the summer season. FROM THE STEWARDS On the 19 October 2017, RWWA greyhound Stewards completed an inquiry into an incident that occurred in the vicinity of the presentation dias following the running of race 9 at Greyhounds WA Cannington on 18 October Greyhound Racing Victoria Public Trainer Mr Kieth Anderson pleaded guilty to a charge under GAR 86 (o), for misconduct and was subsequently fined $

4 PUBLIC TRIALS MANDURAH - All trials $10 Monday Evening Ticket Sales 4.45pm 6.30pm 1st Trial 5.00pm On the Arm & Catching Pen (Max.45) Stewards Trials (booked through Stewards Office) at approx. 6.30pm Race Lure Public Trials with Catching Pen available will commence directly after Stewards Trials at approx 6.35pm From 6.30pm onwards. FINISH ON Race lure available (Muzzle on, max-2 dogs, No additional tie on.) Walk On/Arm trials at end of session. Saturday Morning Booked Trials Only Trials must be booked and paid for at Mandurah Reception ( ) by 6pm Friday. Please note: No ticket sales on trial morning No prior payment No trial. No show no credit On the Arm / Catching Pen option available Trials commence 7.00am Stewards Trials (booked through Stewards Office) at approx 8.05am CANNINGTON - All trials $10 Tuesday Evening Booked Trials Only Trials commence 5.00pm 275m/380m/520m/600m boxes On the arm / catching pen available. Trials need to be pre-booked and paid for via Greyhounds WA Administration Office on Stewards Trials (booked through Stewards Office) at approx. 5.30pm Bookings open 9am Thursdays and close at 4pm Tuesdays Thursday Morning Booked Trials Only Trials commence 7.00am 275m/380m/520m/600m boxes On the arm / catching pen available. FINISH ON Race lure available (Muzzle on, max-2 dogs, No additional tie on.) Trials need to be pre-booked and paid for via Greyhounds WA Administration Office on Stewards Trials (booked through Stewards Office) at approx. 8.30am Bookings open 9am Tuesdays and close at 4pm Wednesdays NORTHAM NO TRIALS TRAINEE LURE DRIVER Please note a Trainee Lure driver will be in operation at Cannington on Tuesday evenings and Thursday mornings. If you wish to take advantage of a FREE trial by utilising the trainee lure driver, please let staff know when booking. All other trials are operated by an experienced Lure Driver. GROUP 2 TOP GUN STAYERS 725M WA chasers Teddy Monelli (David Hobby) and Ramifications (Chris Halse) will jump from box one and two respectively in this Saturday night s final of the Top Gun Stayers at The Meadows. The final is Race 6 on the card and will be run at 5.58pm. Following that, Race 7 to be run at 6.17pm is a heat of the Group 1 Hume Cup (600m) and the Sarah Appleton-trained Moment To Jive will exit box six. Good luck to all. This week's Box 1 Chef's Special $10 Pork Vindaloo Curry $10 A crumbed chicken cutlet with a selection of salads $15 Lemon pepper squid, chips & salad $15 200g Rump Steak, gravy, chips & beetroot * Available Wednesday & Saturday

5 ONT. ed Association (RDA) Horses horses (three standardbreds s) sourced by Off the Track, and re-trained for purpose, d complete with saddlery ughout Western Australia and Albany. l s Show Jumping k and Careers in Racing inaugural Show Jumping isted of Western Australian ol riders competing against ping on retired racehorses. the State Equestrian Centre ment to retired racehorses, s a pool of available foster assisting currently retired r emergency care situations anged. ed and promoted retired uestrian and racing events luding Pony Club Association ip Events, Dowerin Field Day A Horse of the Year, Perth p Show Jumping, Patron s h Cup, TABtouch Perth Inter hip Series and Eventing in 2017 season Off the Track to 112 retired racehorse oughout Western Australia, s. nformation collated from ting of the retirement of rses and destinations is g Australia Annual Report at orse. GREYHOUND WELFARE The RWWA Greyhound Welfare Strategy looks at all stages of a greyhound s life and documents the disciplines and controls required around these stages. The central disciplines that make up the strategy include: Controlling supply via greyhound breeding controls; Increasing demand for greyhounds as pets; Increased resourcing of the industry Greyhounds as Pets (GAP) program; Educating the Industry; Monitoring performance against key metrics; Tracking all greyhounds at every stage of their life cycle; Policing of the industry; and Overarching governance to ensure that the animal welfare strategy is applied across all stages of animal s lives. The overarching mission statement of the RWWA Greyhound Welfare Strategy is: RWWA is committed to ensuring that the best levels of care are given to Greyhounds throughout all stages of their lives, through a program of investment, education, monitoring and regulation. When a Greyhound retires from the racing industry, at any age, RWWA will aim to have every healthy and behaviourally sound Greyhound re-homed. Consistent with implementing many of the recommendations arising from Commissioner McHugh AC QC s 2016 report on the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Greyhound Racing Industry in New South Wales, the phased approach towards achieving the above mission has included: Increased investment of $500K in GAP, to increase capacity and demand to facilitate higher levels of regulatory requirement in relation to retirement from racing; Implementation of mandatory assessments, requiring additional investment in GAP; In addition to greyhounds rehomed through the GAP program, GAP also facilitates the Green Collar assessment for greyhounds adopted through other organisations enabling greyhounds to re-enter the community with a muzzle exemption. GAP is the only agency authorised by Statute to conduct such assessments; Enhanced data capture and tracking to ensure full life-cycle of a greyhound is maintained.

6 Stricter controls on breeding, breeding licences and other measures targeted towards the supply side of greyhounds; Comprehensive race night greyhound injury recording database system in place; Setting in place minimum timeframes consistent with the stated objectives above; RWWA greyhound stewards have continued to be active both in life-cycle tracking retirements of greyhounds through auditing industry compliance with the submission of mandatory Rule 106 retirement forms; Greyhound stewards conducted 280 individual kennel/property inspections in 2016/17; A hoop arm lure system was implemented at both Cannington and Mandurah greyhound racing tracks the hoop arm lure system is designed to reduce interference between greyhounds whilst racing; and RWWA has worked closely with the Western Australian Greyhound Racing Association to enhance its track maintenance program and increase the monitoring of the surface profile to ensure all tracks are suitable for racing. As of 1 January 2017, the RWWA Integrity Assurance Committee approved a suite of rule amendments to implement further regulatory structures. This was done to facilitate implementation of more stringent controls, within the current processes around welfare and tracking of greyhounds. This includes the following: Updated Trainer licensing criteria that removes the licence categories Owner/Trainer and Public Trainer and replaces them with a new Tiered Trainer Licencing system; Control of trial tracks/venues used for trialling of greyhounds; Extension of transfer of ownership requirements to include unnamed greyhounds to improve lifetime tracking of greyhounds; Control over an individual greyhound s racing frequency; Mandatory assessments of retiring greyhounds; Mandatory hold periods for greyhounds after retirement; Improved tracking under Rule 106 form lodgement; Increased responsibility on owners for rehoming of greyhounds; and Banning the use of barking muzzles. The impact of these measures is already being reflected in improved rates of re-homing, detailed in Figure 2.1, consistent with the stated aim Percentage Rehomed-Retired % Deceased-Euthanased % Aug-16 Sep-16 Oct-16 Nov-16 Dec-16 Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Figure 2.1: Monthly percentages of greyhounds reported as rehomed or deceased from total reported as retired (for period 1 August 2016 to 31 July 2017). PAGE 29

7 CHAPTER 2 REPORT ON OPERATIONS ANIMAL WELFARE CONT. For the period 1 August 2016 to 31 July 2017 the following numbers of greyhounds were reported to RWWA by the last registered owners or persons responsible for the greyhounds at the relevant time, under the requirements of greyhound rule of racing LR106, as retired from racing or deceased. Metric 2015/16* 2016/17* Variance Adopted through GAP % Adopted through other rehoming organisations % Adopted as pet to a third party (non-owner / trainer) % Adopted as pet to an owner / trainer % Retired for breeding % Total number of greyhounds retired % Deceased or euthanasia due to accidental death, natural causes, illness or age % Deceased or euthanasia due to racing related injury % Euthanasia not suitable for rehoming % Euthanasia not suitable for racing % Total number of greyhounds deceased % Total number of greyhounds retired or deceased % Figure 2.2: Greyhounds retired from racing or deceased report for 2015/16 and 2016/17. * The data for both years was extracted from OzChase on 10 October, 2017 and is correct as of that date. Minor variances in some data can occur over time as LR106 forms are received and processed on a continuous basis, and the status of individual greyhounds may be updated from time to time with new information received. RWWA CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE KEEPING OF GREYHOUNDS IN WA The RWWA Code of Practice for the Keeping of Greyhounds within the Western Australian Racing Industry has been prepared by RWWA s Racing Integrity department, in consultation with individuals who have expertise in greyhound management, welfare and veterinary science. The code was developed with input from RSPCA WA, whose welfare officers assisted with review and development of this code through a RWWA-RSPCA WA working party. Under this Code, the Minimum Standards set the minimum level of conduct required. The standards are based on current scientific knowledge, recommended industry practice and community expectations. The Guidelines provide information to improve awareness of good welfare practices and encourage the considerate treatment of greyhounds. The Code is designed to enforce a consistent approach that will: Provide for the welfare of greyhounds by specifying the minimum standards of accommodation, management and care that are appropriate to the physical and behavioural needs of greyhounds including those for breeding and rearing, boarding and training for greyhound racing; Act as a guideline for the RWWA Stewards to assess each individual and property, and serve as a template for the application of the rules; and Enable industry members, by adhering to this Code, to demonstrate their duty of care for the racing greyhound. The Code emphasises the importance of good management practices, pointing out that persons in charge of greyhounds have a legal liability. The overriding theme of this Code is that the wellbeing of the greyhound must at all times be considered above the demands of owners, breeders, PAGE 30

8 participants, sponsors, officials or spectators. For the purposes of the rules of greyhound racing, this code of practice is considered to be an official policy adopted by RWWA (the Controlling Body). The full Code of Practice for the Keeping of Greyhounds within the Western Australian Racing Industry can be found on the RWWA website at GREYHOUND RACE INJURY REPORTING This report has been prepared using the information on greyhound racing injury, fatality and related euthanasia recorded by on track veterinarians and stewards at race meetings held in Western Australia and maintained in the OzChase system by RWWA. This is an annual report covering the period 1 August 2016 to 31 July 2017 inclusive. Injury Severity Classification All greyhounds with an on-track, post-race or postqualifying trial veterinary reported injury have been included in this report. As the injuries range from very mild and requiring no incapacitation period (stand-down period) to catastrophic injuries leading to death or euthanasia, the following rating guide has been used to categorise injury severity. The examination of a greyhound post-racing identifies any injuries, including minor injuries such as general muscle soreness that potentially impacted its racing performance, and thus the reporting of injuries has both an integrity and welfare function. The prescribed period of incapacitation (stand down) is above and beyond the time required to overcome the reported injury, to enable the greyhound to return to full race fitness before resuming competitive racing. Accordingly, the examination and subsequent reporting is based on a high level and conservative veterinary assessment of any injury, related to the greyhound s ability to compete at the required level of racing, beyond the primary requirements a more standard welfare assessment. Rating Incapacitation Period Typical Injury Types Minor Class I Minor Class II 0 days Mild skin abrasions/grazes 1-10 days Grade 1 muscle injury Minor skin laceration Medium days Joint /ligament sprain Skin laceration Grade 2 muscle injury Major Greater than 21 days Grade 3 muscle injury Bone fractures Catastrophic Deceased or euthanised immediately Severe skull or spinal trauma Complex /open/joint fractures Figure 2.3: Greyhound injury rating guide indicating expected stand down periods and examples of related injury types between 1 August 2016 and 31 July PAGE 31

9 CHAPTER 2 REPORT ON OPERATIONS ANIMAL WELFARE CONT. Between 1 August 2016 and 31 July 2017 (inclusive), 3,613 greyhound races and 219 qualifying trials were conducted across Western Australia at racing venues with a total of 27,491 race starters and 1,021 qualifying trial starters (28,512 total starters). Figure 2.4 below details the number of injury incidents reported where a greyhound with at least one injury was identified by an on-track veterinarian after participation in a race or qualifying trial in Western Australia during 2016/17. These injury incidents affected a total of 1,011 individual starters. This equates to an injury incident being reported on track from 3.5% of official starters in races and qualifying trials. Of the total reported injury incidents 67% were of a minor nature requiring either no stand down period or a stand down period of less than 11 days. The percentage of starters affected by either a major or catastrophic injury was 0.5%. Rating Incapacitation Period Total Numbers of Injury Incidents Injury Rate (Injury Incidents/1000 Starts) Injury Rate as % of Total Starters Minor - I 0 days % Minor - II 1-10 days % Medium days % Major Greater than 21 days Catastrophic Deceased or euthanised immediately % % Figure 2.4: Number of race injury incidents, injury rates and severity reported at Western Australian race meetings by on-track veterinarians between 1 August 2016 and 31 July GREYHOUNDS AS PETS Greyhounds as Pets Western Australia (GAP) continues to position itself as the peak body for greyhound rehoming in Western Australia. As the industry rehoming body, GAP seeks to promote, encourage and facilitate greyhound pet ownership to the community through the provision of safe, healthy greyhounds to homes throughout Western Australia. In the 2016/17 period, GAP exceeded their target by, rehoming 245 greyhounds, a 102% increase from the last financial year (121). In their same period, GAP has continued to expand their program through community engagement, events and new partnerships. the Southern River kennel facility. The Community Engagement program offers opportunities for volunteers to engage in their local community by promoting greyhound ownership through their love of the breed. Through the Community Engagement program, GAP developed a relationship with Regis Aged Care providing an opportunity for GAP volunteers and their greyhounds to visit residents as part of a pilot Therapy Dog initiative. Currently running within Regis Greenmount Aged Care, this program gives residents the chance to interact with dogs and enjoy the associated benefits from animal-assisted therapy. Towards the end of 2016, GAP established two new volunteer programs: the Animal Enrichment and Community Engagement programs. The Animal Enrichment program provides additional socialisation for the greyhounds moving through the GAP program, as they transition to pet life at PAGE 32

10 GREYHOUNDS AS PETS During the year, GAP has built on the following existing partnerships: Bunbury Regional Prison The Bunbury Prison Program provides the opportunity for prisoners in the pre-release unit, to care for GAP foster greyhounds for a period of six weeks. The prisoners are entrusted with the responsibility of caring for the greyhounds, who learn basis obedience and household manners to assist them in preparing for life in their future adoptive homes. Recognised for the positive impact it has on prisoners, the facility proactively sought to increase the number of greyhounds in the program and expand the initiative into the medium security prison. South Metropolitan TAFE Currently GAP has a partnership with South Metropolitan TAFE, where animal studies students care for two foster greyhounds, gaining experience handling and working with large breed dogs. GAP has expanded the initiative to enable students to complete the work experience component of their study at the GAP kennels. Community Events As part of continuing the positive positioning of greyhounds within the Western Australian community, GAP has attended many events this year, including the Perth Royal Show, Pet Expo, Pawsome Day Out and the RSPCA Million Paws Walk. 2015/ /17 Variance Adoptions % Greyhounds in Foster % Pre-Assessments % Euthanasia at Kennels % Euthanasia % of Total Adoptions 13% 7% Figure 2.5: Greyhounds as Pets Metrics between 1 August 2016 and 31 July Note - while we endeavor to rehome all greyhounds, there will be times when humane euthanasia is the most compassionate and responsible course for the animal s wellbeing and for public health and safety. GAP may euthanize animals, as either medically or behaviourally necessitated, who are found to meet criteria for unhealthy/untreatable/unadoptable animals. PAGE 33