Greyhound Racing NSW has today announced the launch of its new grading policy, the first major change to the policy in more than a decade.
Extensive consultation was undertaken in March and April last year, with members of the GRNSW grading team visiting numerous tracks, and speaking with participants about the policy. The organisation has also sought submissions from participants and stakeholders before completing the new policy.
As a result of the feedback, and substantial work from the grading team and racing department at GRNSW, the new grading policy has been completed and will now be implemented, commencing on March 9.
The new policy - the first major change since 2009 - aims to create a simpler and less complicated document to make it easier for participants to understand, and caters for the current greyhound population.
“It has been quite some time since we have made such a major change in the grading policy, and as such Greyhound Racing NSW put a significant amount of work into the final document,” GRNSW’s Chief Operating Officer Wayne Billett said.
“A key part of the process was the extensive consultation with the participants, obtaining their feedback, assessing it, and making any relevant changes to the policy.
“We are very satisfied with the completed policy, and believe - as a result of that considerable consultation - that the participants too will be happy with the new grading policy.”
Some of the key points from the new policy are that there are now three classes of meeting - City, Provincial and Country, and three distance categories - Short (up to 420m), Sprint (421m – 564m), and Distance (565m and beyond).
In the new policy, four wins after winning a maiden in a particular distance at Provincial meetings, makes you 4th grade.
Two city wins makes you 4th grade on City and Provincial tracks.
After reaching 4th grade, you will be elevated one grade for each win.
Three unplaced runs in a particular class and distance category in NSW, drops you back one grade.
A greyhound will be ineligible to compete in a 5th grade Provincial or Country event, after winning 15 combined City and Provincial events, excluding its maiden.
Performance Trials have been removed from the policy, and the age for eligibility into Masters’ events, has risen to four years on the day of the meeting.
The policy is due to be integrated into OzChase on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8. As a result, scratchings for meetings on Sunday, March 8 will close at 4pm on Saturday, March 7.
Nominations for meetings from Wednesday, March 11, will open at 5pm on Sunday, March 8.
Nominate for ALL meetings via the OzChase nominations portal.
To see the full GRNSW Grading Policy, click here.
For any questions or enquiries pertaining to the new GRNSW Grading Policy, please contact the grading department at: Grading_D@grnsw.com.au
