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[Macha]

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I don't live remotely near a pedigree whippet racing club, but I have been to visit the two clubs in Scotland and my dog has trialled and been weighed and measured; the seconder saw his photos, pedigree, KC and vaccination certs: in short, I expect now to finally secure a passport so I can race the dog at other clubs if I happen to be in the vicinity.

What are the advantages of attending "open" meetings as opposed to going to an ordinary weekly meet? Do only the fastest dogs race at opens or can any passported dog run?

I'd also like to get an idea of what are good winning speeds for pedigreed whippets in the various weight classes at 150 yds and at 200 yds. My own dog weighs in between 28-32 lb, but others might like to have info for their lighter weight whippets.

 

[IanGerman]

Hi again Macha

There are no advantages as such from racing at Opens - except that you are generally competing against a higher class of dog. You may view this as a good thing or a bad thing depending on how your dog does! And yes - they are open to any passported dog.

Times are not really transferable from track to track. Most race venues will have a "track record" but times themselves will vary from track to track. My own club, Harvel in Kent, for instance has an uphill track so times will be slower than say Maidstone, which is level (personally I think it's downhill ) )

 

[Macha]

thanks for your reply

I am wondering can anyone give guidelines on how to know whether a dog is of the right caliber for Opens. My dog has raced quite well, but has had few opportunities and his wins were at lurcher shows (where the dogs are started from scratch and many are inexperienced; we handslip, but I've taken my dogs to whippet clubs to get him trained in the traps and get passed for racing)

 

[Joanna]

thanks for your replyI am wondering can anyone give guidelines on how to know whether a dog is of the right caliber for Opens. My dog has raced quite well, but has had few opportunities and his wins were at lurcher shows (where the dogs are started from scratch and many are inexperienced; we handslip, but I've taken my dogs to whippet clubs to get him trained in the traps and get passed for racing)

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Try him and see! It is all about having fun any-way and even if you don't make a main final, you could do well in the consolation. This is where you come 3rd/4th in your first heat, so you would then run against dogs who also haven't come first/second in the heat. My advice would be to keep gong to your local club, enter an open or two and see how you get on. Don't take it all too seriously and enjoy the social side of the event aswell as the racing

Edit to say, I have as much, if not more fun with my show-bred, slow-bred than I do with my not half bad racer :thumbsup:

 

[ladydee]

thanks for your replyI am wondering can anyone give guidelines on how to know whether a dog is of the right caliber for Opens. My dog has raced quite well, but has had few opportunities and his wins were at lurcher shows (where the dogs are started from scratch and many are inexperienced; we handslip, but I've taken my dogs to whippet clubs to get him trained in the traps and get passed for racing)

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Try him and see! It is all about having fun any-way and even if you don't make a main final, you could do well in the consolation. This is where you come 3rd/4th in your first heat, so you would then run against dogs who also haven't come first/second in the heat. My advice would be to keep gong to your local club, enter an open or two and see how you get on. Don't take it all too seriously and enjoy the social side of the event aswell as the racing

Edit to say, I have as much, if not more fun with my show-bred, slow-bred than I do with my not half bad racer :thumbsup:

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couldn't agree more...the main thing to remember is whippet racing is for fun. its a buzz when your dog wins, but its fun to just see your dog compete, even if it loses every race. The most important thing is you have a clean race (ie. no fighting) and every dog finishes in good shape with no injuries.

good luck :luck:

 

[Macha]

couldn't agree more...the main thing to remember is whippet racing is for fun. its a buzz when your dog wins, but its fun to just see your dog compete, even if it loses every race. The most important thing is you have a clean race (ie. no fighting) and every dog finishes in good shape with no injuries. good luck :luck:

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I definitely agree with the above. My main reason for being interested in opens, besides wanting to know how good my dog is (while he is still in his prime; he's already nearly 3 years old) is that I don't have a local club. Unless I start one -- and I can see that would involve enlisted several committed people! -- I have to travel from Ireland to Britain to attend proper whippet races. (I do take the dogs to race at some lurcher events, and often they hold separate heats for whippets). I think some of the open meets last 2 days and people camp at them?

 

[IanGerman]

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I think that was a question about Open racing here so ..... most opens are run on a Sunday but a lot of tracks allow camping at the track on Saturday. If enough people go then there can be quite a social gathering on the Saturday night. (notice how I politely avoided the words **** up?) But the racing is all on one day, unlike the lurchger shows which DO 2 day events. I would think you would be showing more dedication than any of us if you meant to travel to the UK to attend weekly or even fortnightly club racing - but good luck if you do! And like someone already said - your best test of your dog is to try it against the best at an Open or Championship meeting - just remember that whatever he does - he's done HIS best )