Media / New Racing Rules to take effect from 1 May 2022

New Greyhounds Australasia National Racing Rules will take effect on 1 May 2022.

Chief Executive Officer of the Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission, Steve Griffin, said the new national rules, developed following industry feedback to Greyhounds Australasia over the past eighteen months, include positive changes and improved national alignment.

“GA’s Rules Review took place throughout 2020-2021, with input from across all jurisdictions,” Mr Griffin said.

“The outcome is a succinct and clear set of Rules that will be adopted by all racing jurisdictions.”

The Rules, which are available to read or download on the GWIC website, include a number of new Rules relating to:

  • Prohibited substances, with thresholds and screening limits applying to some substances
  • Penalties for marring and Failing to Pursue
  • Rules relating to lay betting (or betting to lose)
  • Penalties for luring and baiting offences
  • Prohibition on using products on greyhounds that aren’t registered by the APVMA.

“I think industry participants will be particularly pleased with the changes to rule relating to prohibited substances, which introduce residue thresholds to substances such as ketamine, morphine and xylazine,” Mr Griffin said.

“The updated penalties for marring and failing to pursue are also an improvement, with both the first and second incident receiving a penalty of 28 days incapacitation period, and the third infringement reduced to a 3 month stand down.”

Although most Rules remain unchanged, Trainers are advised that there have been some updates to the numbering of Rules.

“The Commission will be grandfathering the new rules regarding annual vaccinations over the next 12months”

“Many Local Rules have been retired or absorbed into the National Rules which will be reflected in the updated version,” Mr Griffin said.

“On 17 December 2021, GWIC introduced two new Local Rules relating to pin-firing and breeding exemptions, other new Local Rules relating to lay betting, greyhounds that have been abandoned by their owners and participants from inter-state who are operating in NSW were introduced in February 2022.”

“The GWIC website has lots of information on the new National and Local Racing Rules that can assist participants adjust to the changes.”

For more information on the incoming Racing Rules, visit the GWIC website or call 13 49 42 (13 GWIC).