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My 2p worth to some frequently raised points;
We should continue to run yd per lb on the straights as that's how it's always been done
Well this isn't true. Before the introduction of ghd stadiums in 1926 the main dog racing spectator sport was whippet racing. Bookies were in attendance at these meets as in ghd racing today. The handicap marks at this time were similar in principle to the staggered marks I suggested above - I copied the idea from a race programm from that time. The Manton prewar handicap is also run on similar lines. The bookies would not be interested in an unfair handicap and hence the marks were to give every dog a level chance with the best dog winning.
I've run at a number of club opens that were 1/2 yard per lb and I seem to rember the NWRF running at 1/2yd lb on the straights. The format for Preston WRC was 1/2yd per lb.
The small whippet is the correct type
This isn't true either. The links to the cine footage of whippet racing in the early 1900s show various sizes of dogs with scratch types being as common as they are today.
When 40yrs or so ago a few blokes got together in a pub and decided on the 32lb limit it caused a lot of resentment as there were many larger types running at that time. I've spoken to Keith Fowler on this and one of the reasons the NWRF was formed was to accomadate larger dogs.
I believe the reason for the popularity of the smaller dog is it's hugely enhanced chances of winning due to the unfair handicap system of yd per lb. It's no suprise that those in favour of yd per lb all have small dogs.
If we are to breed for any characteristic surely it should be for speed. It's perverse that a second rate lightweight will beat a first class heavyweight everytime yet still be more desirable.
Heavyweights can win yd per lb on the straights if they are good enough
Not true. There are no legitimate examples of a heavyweight ever winning supreme at a major straight event yd per lb.
If we are going to bring up Mo Evil at least mention the fact that the lightweight had 3 extra runs and was on it's eighth run of the day
We run yd perlb on the bends which favours the big dogs so it's only fair to favour the small dogs on the straights
Two wrongs don't make a right.
That's if yd per pound really does favour the heavyweights on the bends. There are plentl of examples of lightweights winning major opens on the bends. There is no reason why a staggered handicap couldn't be run on the bends as well since the lightweight dog whippets and the very small bitches ware disadvantaged.
Changing the handicap lessens the acheivements of previous supreme winners
Sorry but I, along with many other racers don't consider a lightweight winning supreme an acheivement but more an inevitability. Winning a race were half the entrants have ( sensibly) not bothered to show up is a hollow victory
Which is the better whippet one that's been unbeaten all year, broken a number of track records, raced and beaten dogs 10lb heavier than itself off scratch or one that's won less than half the races it's entered and is half a second slower than the first example ? If the first dog was 32lb and the second was 18lb and were running off at yd per lb 150 yds who would win?
We should continue to run yd per lb on the straights as that's how it's always been done
Well this isn't true. Before the introduction of ghd stadiums in 1926 the main dog racing spectator sport was whippet racing. Bookies were in attendance at these meets as in ghd racing today. The handicap marks at this time were similar in principle to the staggered marks I suggested above - I copied the idea from a race programm from that time. The Manton prewar handicap is also run on similar lines. The bookies would not be interested in an unfair handicap and hence the marks were to give every dog a level chance with the best dog winning.
I've run at a number of club opens that were 1/2 yard per lb and I seem to rember the NWRF running at 1/2yd lb on the straights. The format for Preston WRC was 1/2yd per lb.
The small whippet is the correct type
This isn't true either. The links to the cine footage of whippet racing in the early 1900s show various sizes of dogs with scratch types being as common as they are today.
When 40yrs or so ago a few blokes got together in a pub and decided on the 32lb limit it caused a lot of resentment as there were many larger types running at that time. I've spoken to Keith Fowler on this and one of the reasons the NWRF was formed was to accomadate larger dogs.
I believe the reason for the popularity of the smaller dog is it's hugely enhanced chances of winning due to the unfair handicap system of yd per lb. It's no suprise that those in favour of yd per lb all have small dogs.
If we are to breed for any characteristic surely it should be for speed. It's perverse that a second rate lightweight will beat a first class heavyweight everytime yet still be more desirable.
Heavyweights can win yd per lb on the straights if they are good enough
Not true. There are no legitimate examples of a heavyweight ever winning supreme at a major straight event yd per lb.
If we are going to bring up Mo Evil at least mention the fact that the lightweight had 3 extra runs and was on it's eighth run of the day
We run yd perlb on the bends which favours the big dogs so it's only fair to favour the small dogs on the straights
Two wrongs don't make a right.
That's if yd per pound really does favour the heavyweights on the bends. There are plentl of examples of lightweights winning major opens on the bends. There is no reason why a staggered handicap couldn't be run on the bends as well since the lightweight dog whippets and the very small bitches ware disadvantaged.
Changing the handicap lessens the acheivements of previous supreme winners
Sorry but I, along with many other racers don't consider a lightweight winning supreme an acheivement but more an inevitability. Winning a race were half the entrants have ( sensibly) not bothered to show up is a hollow victory
Which is the better whippet one that's been unbeaten all year, broken a number of track records, raced and beaten dogs 10lb heavier than itself off scratch or one that's won less than half the races it's entered and is half a second slower than the first example ? If the first dog was 32lb and the second was 18lb and were running off at yd per lb 150 yds who would win?
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