In what looked to be a little strange, Worms Are Biting, a recent Tara Raceway winner and third at last Thursday’s meeting, appeared on Greyhound Racing Victoria’s data and operations portal Fasttrack on Saturday afternoon as being retired.
Just what was going on over there at Cape Bridgewater? Owner-trainer Scott Blacksell’s partner Jude Tait was probably the best person to ask.
“Well, after we trialled at Tara Raceway on Saturday morning we both agreed that Slow Burn wasn’t going to cut it as a racing dog and should be retired. Actually, we had decided that before the trials,” she said.
“So, not long after we got home Scott informed me that he had officially retired Slow Burn.
“All good and the remainder of the afternoon passed uneventfully. That is until we came inside to get ready for the grand final.
“It was then that Scott, in a somewhat agitated state, said there appeared to have been a mix-up in the retirement process on Fasttrack.
“And a check of Fasttrack revealed that Slow Burn was in fact still in the system. Not so his litter brother Worms Are Biting, though. Seems someone with all of the dog’s relevant details had officially retired him earlier that afternoon.
“Now everyone knows why he needs a babysitter!”
Anyway, it was a short-lived retirement. By Monday morning Worms Are Biting had been re-instated as a racing greyhound, Blacksell saying it had been an honest mistake and one that would have occurred plenty of times in the past.
Probably not.
AN EXTRA RACE FOR SOME VICTORIAN TRACKS
Running an extra race at some Victorian venues is now very close to delivery, according to GRV General Manager of Racing, Greg Kerr.
“Nominations permitting, we have six venues that could stage an extra race – Warrnambool, Geelong, Sandown, Cranbourne, Bendigo and Shepparton,” he said.
“The roll out will see a trial at Warrnambool just to make sure there are no issues with the software and kennelling side of things.”
It is anticipated that 13-card race meetings will commence in early December.