4 - Runner or Vacant

In this section, I discuss the maximum number of dogs allowed in a race and explain the importance of the trap draw when predicting dog races around the world. Also mentioned is our reasons for choosing the various racing jacket colours used in the GP v2.0 Software Program.

Is this greyhound a runner?

Greyhound Predictor v2.0 allows all trap positions to be simulated and lets you predict races that include vacant traps!

This feature lets you take out dogs that have become non runners (n/r) and allows for your own greyhound trial sessions (raceform statistic class or grade T = trial, T2 = 2 dog trial, T3 = 3 dog trial etc, solo trial = 'solo' or 'st' in American form). All combinations of a maximum 8 dogs are available.

In America and Australia the maximum number of runners is 8 dogs, although previously 9 and 10 dog races were held. Here in the UK races are limited to six dogs, although in the past both five and eight runner races were a regular feature.

In English greyhound racing, all trap allocations for races are seeded. This means that any dogs running an inside route will be issued with a 'rails tag' and hence will be seeded 'rails'. An (R) after a greyhound's name always indicates a railer. The first railing dog to be drawn out from the 'trap draw' always occupies the first available inside racing trap position. Middle track running dogs always have the letter (M) after their name and will be given a 'middle tag' and seeded middle. The first middle seed drawn out, always occupies the first available trap placed on the inside of the nearest wide runner. Wide and very wide dogs will be given a 'wide tag' and seeded wide. In UK greyhound form a (W) placed after a dog's name always indicates to a wide racer. The first wide seed to be drawn out will always occupy the outside trap position. Only extremely rarely when there are six wide runners in a greyhound final or perhaps in a handicap race, will a wide running dog ever occupy the inside box. Please note: all starting positions for English graded races are allocated by the racing manager under N.G.R.C. Rule 76 (v).

Occasionally, greyhounds when first trialed for a forthcoming 'open class' event may 'run a track' differently and alter their natural racing line. The trainer with the owners permission may then decide to ask the 'racing manager' for a change to their dog's 'seeding position'. This will only be granted when it is genuinely believed the dog would perform better if allowed to start future races from a different box position. The general reasoning behind 'seeded dog races' is I believe, based purely in the 'interests of safety' as overall it helps to provide cleaner trouble free greyhound racing and theoretically improves the chances of dogs obtaining a clear run in the initial stages of a race and thus encourages dogs to perform to their maximum racing capabilities.

Alternatively in American and Australian dog racing there is 'no seeding' any runner can be drawn in any post position, no preferences are given and to put it quite simply "the luck of the box draw" will always play a leading role in determining results and is an important factor to consider when predicting future American and Australian races!

I recommend all 'greyhound predictors' spend time getting to know how different 'trap positions' effect the individual performances of dogs racing around the GP track. This can best be observed by conducting your own private trials!

Please note: The option to trial dogs and then 'RACE AGAIN' is only fully functional in the full registered version.

All 'racegoers' when betting on races that include 'vacant traps' will appreciate, that any greyhounds placed in any 'adjacent trap' are generally thought to have a 'good draw' as theoretically with more 'racing room' they have a better chance of breaking well and obtaining a clear run in the early stages of a race. However, this should not be presumed, as this will always depend on the individual 'make-up' of each particular race!

Now check your newspaper and enter Runner or Vacant.

Greyhound Racing Colours

All dog racing countries have their own respective colour code of jackets, rugs or blankets to identify the greyhounds. Since governing bodies use different colours, there can often be a confusion in identifying the runners when watching television or viewing via the Internet. This will always exist until all greyhound jacket colours are perhaps unified!

Here at Greyhound Predictor we found ourselves choosing our own greyhound colours, wishing us to be fair to everyone, we wanted to use the most recognised and appropriate trap colours best suited to all 'greyhound predictors' worldwide. After studying the colours of the main racing nations, we decided that the following blanket colours would hopefully be considered a fair choice and are represented in GP v2.0.

Our reasons for selecting these racing colours were as follows: The first 3 traps, Red = T1, Blue = T2 and White = T3 just so happen to be the same colours used by the UK, Irish, European and American greyhound industries, and therefore the choice of selecting them was made simply for us.

Choosing the next 3 colours was a little more difficult, as each of the main greyhound nations use different colours for all three trap positions. After careful thought, we decided to stay with the race colours previously used in GP version 1.0 and use the European and British greyhound racing colours: Black = T4, Orange = T5, and Black/White stripes = T6.

The task of choosing the colour of trap 7 was again made difficult, as all greyhound racing nations use different colours. However, it was decided to represent the American dog industry and use the colour of Green and White Stripes = T7.

Lastly, it was decided that trap 8 should in all fairness represent the Australian greyhound industry and therefore, the famous Pink Jacket = T8 was chosen.

AMERICAN GREYHOUND BLANKET COLOURS

AUSTRALIAN DOG RUG COLOURS

EUROPEAN, IRISH & UK DOG JACKET COLOURS

NEW ZEALAND GREYHOUND RUG COLOURS

Next Page: Dog or Bitch

The Science of Greyhound Racing Prediction

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