Enforcement of disqualification rules is putting the integrity of racing at risk
Another letter has been sent to us from Peter Harnden, the trainers representative on the GBGB board. This time he discusses the lack of consistency in greyhound being marked in races.
Consistency is key to decisions
I am deeply concerned that the shortage of greyhounds is creating pressure on tracks to keep races filled, and that this pressure may be affecting the quality of our sport in many ways one especially is how disqualification rules are enforced. When serious interference appears to warrant a disqualification but results only in an “awkward” note—or no clear action or explanation—the integrity of racing is put at risk.
Every incident must be judged on the evidence and against the same rules. A shortage of runners cannot justify overlooking a serious breach, applying a lesser response or leaving participants and spectators without a clear explanation. The rules must mean the same thing at every track, whoever is involved and whatever the operational pressures may be.
I am not suggesting that every disputed incident should result in a disqualification. I am saying that decisions must be consistent, properly explained and open to scrutiny. When the outcome appears difficult to reconcile with what people have seen, confidence in the process suffers. That is why I am going to put forward proposals for changes to the disqualification rules: the system must make clear how these decisions are reached and ensure that concerns can be properly heard.
Responsibility cannot rest with the tracks alone the last few years has shown what this leads to! The ultimate goal for me is to get away from this concept of judges decision is final lots of other sports have woken up to technology and all decisions should be able to be challenged
The GBGB is the regulator, and it must be prepared to act when there are credible concerns that its rules have not been applied properly. In my view, the regulator has not been forceful enough in holding tracks to account. It must investigate concerns, explain what action has been taken and make clear that every track is expected to meet the same standard.
If tracks are left to decide for themselves how firmly to apply the rules, while the regulator fails to provide effective oversight, confidence in the sport’s integrity will continue to erode. That is unacceptable. The rules exist to protect fair competition and the standing of greyhound racing. They must be enforced consistently, and the GBGB must ensure that they are.
Peter Harnden
GBGB Trainers’ Representative
