In this section, I discuss the maximum number of runners allowed in a dog race and importance of the trap draw when predicting races around the world. Also mentioned are the jacket colours used in the GREYHOUNDPREDICTOR v2.0 Software Program.
Greyhound Predictor v2.0 allows you to simulate races that include vacant traps!
This feature lets you take out any 'non-runners' and create your own greyhound trial sessions - grade T = trial, T2 = 2 dog trial etc, solo trial = 'solo'. American Raceform = (st). Australian form 'pt' = private trial or 'qt' = qualifying trial. All combinations of a maximum 8 dogs are available.
In England and Ireland greyhound races are currently limited to six dogs. Although, in the past both five and eight dog races were once a regular feature. In America, Australia and New Zealand the maximum number of runners is eight, although previously both nine and ten dog races have taken place.
In English graded racing the 'trap draw' is allocated by the racing manager Rule 76. All inside runners will be issued a 'rails tag' and hence seeded rails. A (R) written after a greyhound's name always indicates a railer. The first railer drawn out always occupies the first available inside trap position.
A (M) after a dog's name always indicates a middle tracker and will be given a 'middle tag' and seeded middle. Due to a change in precedure, the first middle seed drawn out now occupies the first available position placed next to the nearest inside runner.
A (W) after a dog's name always indicates a wide runner and is given a 'wide tag' and seeded wide. The first wide seed drawn out always occupies the outside trap position. Only extremely rarely when there are six wides in a final or in a handicap race will a wide racer ever occupy the inside box.
The procedure for Open Race (OR) trap draws under the new G.B.G.B. equal distribution Rule 80, means that there are now three seperate draws, with railers now known as 'unseeded runners' drawn first, then middle seeds and lastly the wide seeds. The first unseeded runner drawn out goes in the inside box of Heat 1, the second in the inside box of Heat 2 etc.
Some greyhounds when first trialed at a track in preparation for forthcoming Open competitions run-a-track differently and alter their natural racing line. The greyhound trainer with the owner's consent may then decide to ask the resident local 'racing manager' for a change to their dog's seeding position. This will only be granted when genuinely believed the dog would perform better if allowed to compete in future races with a different draw tag allocation. I believe, the general reasoning behind 'race seeding' is based purely in the 'interests of safety' as overall it promotes cleaner trouble free greyhound racing and therefore encourages dogs to perform to their maximum capabilities.
Alternatively in Ireland, America, Australia and New Zealand there is no seeding! any runner can be drawn in any post position, no preferences are given and therefore "the luck of the box draw" always plays a leading role in determining results and is an important factor to take into consideration!
I suggest when using the PREDICTOR you first conduct your own private trials in order to see how different starting 'trap positions' affect performances. Please note: The option to trial dogs and then 'RACE AGAIN' is only fully functional in the Full Registered Version.
It is generally thought when betting on dogs, that any runner drawn next to a 'vacant trap' has a "good draw" as theoretically with more 'racing room' they've a better chance of starting well in the very early stages! Although, this will always depend on the individual 'make-up' of each particular race!
Now enter Runner or Vacant.
Since world governing bodies have their own respective colour code of dog jackets, rugs or blankets, there can often be a confusion identifying the runners when watching on television or viewing via the Internet. This will exist until all greyhound jacket colours are perhaps one-day unified!
Here at Greyhound Predictor we found ourselves choosing our own greyhound colours and wishing to appeal to all 'greyhound fans' worldwide we decided that the following colours would hopefully be considered a fair choice:
GREYHOUND PREDICTOR TRAP COLOURS
Our reasons for selecting these colours were as follows: The first three traps: Red = T1, Blue = T2 and White = T3 just so happen to be the same colours used by the UK, Irish, European and American greyhound industries, and therefore the choice was simply made for us.
Choosing the next three colours was difficult, as each of the respective nations use different colours for each trap. After careful thought, we decided to stay with the GP v1.0 colours and use the European, British and Irish greyhound colours: Black = T4, Orange = T5, and Black / White stripes = T6.
The task of choosing the colour of Trap 7 was again made difficult, as each of the 'dog racing nations' use different colours for this trap number. However, it was decided to represent the American greyhound industry and use the colour of Green and White Stripes = T7.
Lastly, it was decided Trap 8 should in all fairness represent the Australian and New Zealand dog industries and therefore the famous Pink Jacket = T8.
AMERICAN GREYHOUND BLANKET COLORS
AUSTRALIAN DOG RUG COLOURS
EUROPEAN, IRISH & UK DOG JACKET COLOURS
NEW ZEALAND GREYHOUND RUG COLOURS
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