Just interested...

[Fleesh]

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I'm just interested the gaining of the Pedigree Whippet Racing titles etc. Seeing as I'm new to the whole sport of racing and i've mastered the way titles are distributed in the non-ped racing (just about ) I now progress onto the question "Just how do the pedi's gain their titles ?" I am aware of the fact that there are four (I think ??? ) PWRC Championships (WRCh Campionships? Pedigree Championships?) each year and wanted to know how a title was gained so I could understand the results better and know what is means when it says "So-and-so has gained a title, half coat etc." also what is the format behind things like 'maidens' and 'main' or 'elite' classes when racing.

                          Hope you can enlighten me,

                           Thanx in advance  

                             ToodlyPips

                               luv Fleesh.

 

[Judy]

Hi Fleesh

The Whippet Club Racing Association (which is a sub-committee of The Whippet Club) governs pedigree racing. They hold four Championship meetings a year (2 straights and 2 bends). The dogs run in 2lb weight groups (i.e. not exceeding 16lb, not ex 18lb etc. up to not ex. 32lb) all off scratch. The first two dogs to cross the line in the heats go forward to the next round. Depending on the number of dogs in each weight group there will be 3 or 4 rounds of racing from heats to finals. The first two always go through to the next round with the final being a four dog race. There are usually about 160 dogs entered at each Championship meeting.

To become a Whippet Club Racing Champion (WCRCh.) a dog must win the final of a weight group on two occasions. A half-coat is an unofficial title for a dog that has won one championship final. I once worked out that an average of 7 dogs gain there titles each year (some years it might be 4 and sometimes 10 but an average of about 7). So you see, with only 4 chances a year providing a dog runs both straights and bends and doesn't miss any through injury, being in season etc. it is a hard title to achieve, as it should be.

At the two straight championship meetings there are also groups for veterans (over 6 years old) they run in weight groups of more than 2lbs so the dogs run at 1/2lb per yard (150 yards) plus 1 yard per year. They must win one of these weight groups to become a Veteran Crown (VC).

At open meetings held by the different clubs there are usually about 120 entrants divided into weight groups. If a club is offering Maiden groups, these are open only to dogs that have not previously won a Maiden, Open or Championship final. When Maiden groups are scheduled then the other groups are called Main or Elite or All-Winners groups just in order to differentiate.

Other than at Championship meetings, the dogs that do not get a first or second place in the first round heats, go through to Consolation  racing which is there after run to a final in the same way that the main racing is with the first two always going through to the next round.

Phew! Hope that helps.  

 

[Fleesh]

OK essay read and now understood THANX !! Now I understand why there aren't many pedigrees with titles, not because there aren't many that race but because its such a prestigious award. When I read "so and so has gained the WCRCh Title" I can now think to myself "WOW" (For want of a better phrase) Thanx again 'o' fountain on knowledge  

                       ToodlyPips,

                               luv Fleesh.