The requirement to provide water in kennels to greyhounds at race meetings will become mandatory at all NSW tracks from this week (Monday, 20 February 2017).
Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) will supply all of the water at NSW tracks, however, it will be a requirement of all trainers and/or attendants to supply a water bowl for each greyhound that is either racing or trialling at a race meeting.
Participants who do not comply with the new requirements to provide water to their greyhounds in kennels may face penalties under the GRNSW Greyhound Racing Rules.
The penalty guidelines for non-compliance with the water in kennel requirement are as follows:
To assist participants comply with the change, between 20 February and 26 February GRNSW will issue SMS reminders 24 hours before each race meeting in NSW to trainers who have greyhounds engaged in those race meetings, informing them about the mandatory water in kennel requirement.
Notices will also be placed on www.grnsw.com.au and at all NSW tracks in the lead-up to the mandatory requirement.
The decision by GRNSW to make water in kennels mandatory follows a trial at The Gardens in December as well as a voluntary transition period, which commenced in January and will continue right up until 20 February 2017.
Both the trial and the voluntary transition period has found that there are no adverse effects on a greyhounds welfare or race performance as a result of having water available in kennels.
GRNSW staff and club staff will continue to be available at all tracks to answer any questions participants may have prior to water in kennels becoming a mandatory requirement from Monday 20 February.
GRNSW once again strongly encourages participants to take part in the voluntary transition period.
GRNSW would like to thank participants who have taken part in the water in kennels trial to date, and looks forward to working with participants and stakeholders as this welfare initiative is implemented.
The water in kennels requirement is outlined in full in the GRNSW Race Day Hydration and Hot Weather Policy.
Click here to view the Race Day Hydration and Hot Weather Policy
