GOTBA Vic recently surveyed participants about grading of Level 3 races in Victoria.  Aged Prize Money (APM) Level 3 grading is very clearly not supported. It results in greyhounds being denied opportunities to race, reduced viability and premature retirements.  Revision of Level 3 grading needs to occur. Participants expressed views on alternatives.

These are the high level survey results from almost 100 participants asked a range of questions about Level 3 grading before and after use of Aged Prize Money as an exclusive grading method.

Key survey findings, summarised:

• Exclusive APM Level 3 grading is not supported - 63% of respondents rate it poor or very poor.

• Before full APM 65% of respondents said their Level 3 greyhounds averaged 3 or more starts per month.

• After full APM, 70% of respondents said their Level 3 greyhounds averaged 2 or less starts per month.

• Nearly 60% of participants have retired or moved on dogs since full Level 3 APM.  70% of respondents say that since full APM Level 3 grading, their Lvl 3 greyhounds have not had the opportunity to race at a level that gives them a fair chance of earning prize money.

• Participants support the reintroduction of grading at Level 3 based on holding Ranking meetings and Tier 3 meetings and including options for ranking races to be programmed within other meetings.

A slideshow of the results - see GOTBA Grading Survey - results.mp4

These results show that participants want strong consideration of a return to earlier forms of Level 3 grading to best cater for needs of participants and to assist retention in the racing program.

The results will inform our actions going forward.

GOTBA Vic Committee

May 2019