7 - Greyhound Racing Weights
In this section, I explain why a dog's racing weight is so important and how variations in weight effect track performances. I also give my reasons for collecting greyhound programmes with a view to studying future race weights.
What's this Greyhound's Weight?
Greyhound Predictor Version 2.0 allows all weights to be entered in either Kilos (Kgs) or Pounds (Lbs).
All UK, Australian, New Zealand and European dogs are weighed in Kilograms. Irish and American dogs in pounds!
Dogs weigh on average between 28 - 36 Kilos = 62 - 80 Lbs. and stand 71-76 cms tall, being larger in size then bitches, they often come out on top when bumping or baulking occurs between them. Dogs are generally thought fearless when racing and show incredible determination and bravery to the great pleasure of connections and vast crowds that watch.
However, a few male racing dogs consistently find trouble in races and may be considered a little awkward or clumsy! Some of the heaviest 'long striding dogs' can weigh in excess of 40kg = 88lbs and are perhaps better suited to wider galloping tracks with bigger circumferences. Although they do have an advantage over bitches when race conditions underfoot become wet or sloppy, as they take less strides to run a circuit!
Bitches on the other hand, average between 22 - 31 Kilos = 48 - 68 Lbs. and stand 68 - 71 cms tall. They protect and look after themselves a little more then dogs when racing and generally display 'good trackcraft', as being smaller in size, they squeeze through racing gaps that larger dogs wouldn't dare to go and also have the advantage of sometimes being able to 'slip under the grill' a little quicker then dogs, when initially breaking from the traps!
Knowing a dog's weight is extremely important, as it allows you the opportunity to compare today's weight with previous weights, in order to correctly determine a greyhound's weight condition. However, finding out the weights may prove difficult, as presently the only way of knowing is to actually go and visit your local dog track!
I suggest, the 2nd thing 'greyhound predictors' always do while attending a meeting, is to check the 'weight sheet' displayed at your local stadium or park! This is a big advantage in selecting race winners and a major reason why greyhound people love going to the dogs!
Advancements in technology may in the future afford 'off track punters' with this current racing weight information. However, many of us will simply not know a dog's previous weights to compare them. Although, some of you will still be able to check the weights, by simply referring back to your more recent old programmes!
If the weight of a dog is not known, simply enter your own approximate weight to continue or alternatively leave the race weights blank = 00.0 kilos or Lbs. The 'Predictor' will then set this runner to a normal racing weight!
Now enter the weight in kilos or Lbs.
What's this greyhound's current weight condition?
Greyhound Predictor v2.0 allows all weight conditions to be simulated!
All trainers will try to maintain a dog's general level of fitness, this is best observed by studying the weight variations!
Each greyhound will have their own "perfect racing weight" only known perhaps to the trainer and maybe the owners! When a dog weighs close to this weight, this implies their fully tuned up and ready to produce their best performances.
Dogs vary in weight from race to race. In UK and Australian racing any dog's weight above or below 1kg or 2.2 Lbs (American dog racing 2 Lbs) from it's previous weight will not be permitted to compete under normal racing rules.
Under Weight
Any greyhound racing well 'down in weight' is generally considered a good positive sign! As losing weight suggests this dog will race fitter having been well exercised. Personally I believe, 'under weight dogs' produce fractionally 'slower than normal' sectionals, but often compensate for this by having a little 'more stamina' at the end of a race.
Some greyhounds when kennelled before racing, will be prone to 'kennel fretting' and become nervous or over excited and for these reasons may lose weight rapidly before finally being placed into the starting traps. This on the other hand is considered a negative sign, as it suggests perhaps a weakness in the racing temperament of the dog, which results in greyhounds running inconsistently - missed breaks, early faders etc.
Any 'puppy' running with an 'under weight racing condition' may sometimes also be considered a negative sign!
Normal Weight
When there is little or no difference between current or previous race weights, then select a 'normal weight condition'. This is seen as a good sign! as the 'consistency of weight' always indicates to the general well being of the dog!
However, any dog previously thought well 'down in weight' and was racing tonight at approximately the same weight, should still be considered 'under weight'! even though it's weight remains the same! Just as a dog running well 'over weight' and remaining at that weight for it's next race, may still be considered 'up in weight'!
Over Weight
Most "canine racers" returning to the track after a long lay off, seasonal rest or spell of lameness, maybe over-weight, which is generally thought a negative sign! As it suggests they've been overfed or perhaps not exercised enough. Personally I consider, this heavier weight condition makes these racing dogs initially stronger in the early stages of a race and genuinely believe 'up in weight dogs' produce fractionally 'faster than normal' sectional times. Although they usually 'start to fade' a little sooner then they would normally do in the latter stages of a race!
Handlers I believe, may occasionally put weight on a greyhound, in order to help a dog trap faster, giving them perhaps, a better chance to lead up or lie handy with the pace, in order to avoid possible trouble anticipated at the corner!
Any pups up in weight is alternatively a good sign, as it suggests they're still growing and therefore open to improvement!
Dogs weight condition = Not Known
If as is generally the case the racing condition is not known then select Not Known.
Knowing the current weight condition of a greyhound, is usually only afforded to 'trackside punters' who will simply compare the weight differences if any, against previous running weights displayed in their official greyhound racecards. When weighing up the formlines of a race, the one vital factor, besides perhaps the racetimes, the age, the going and the draw, that allows me most to determine which dogs to include in bets or permutations, should in theory always be decided by the greyhounds with the best weight condition!
This ability to study a greyhound's weight, combined with an accurate estimation of it's 'perfect weight' is vitally important, as any change in a dog's racing condition effects its performance, which in turn effects results and therefore plays a significant role in obtaining accurate predictions!
However, racing weights can be very misleading! lets imagine Lady Flyaway has a perfect weight = 27.0 kg and having previously competed at a weight = 28.0 kg, we find the Lady's running tonight at a weight = 27.6 kg. Would you consider her to be under weight or perhaps over weight?. Here lies the general confusion to why weights are often misunderstood! In the above example, Lady Flyaway weighing 27.6 kg is in fact 0.6 kg over weight, as we knew her best weight = 27.0 kg. Although, had we thought her perfect weight = 28.0 kg then I would have considered her to be 0.4 kg under weight!
All "Greyhound Predictors" will understand the importance of accurately assessing the perfect weight of a greyhound and will appreciate, that a dog 'up in weight' can still be 'under weight' and a dog 'down in weight' can still be 'over weight'! Most of us already know that dogs generally are heavier then bitches, although actually knowing the exact weight, is of little use unless you're able to compare these 'differences in weight' in order to determine this dog's true weight condition.
It is therefore, only by collecting these official programmes can the serious "racing student" study the 'weight variations' displayed further back in past greyhound formlines and is perhaps why many of us like to collect dog programmes? Please don't throw them away!! So many greyhound collections and dog racing memorabilia go to waste! If you happen to find any greyhound racing programmes and your thinking of throwing them out, PLEASE DON'T, instead contact me. All names of contributors to my collection will be mentioned!
Now enter the weight condition - Under, Normal, Over or Not-Known.
Next Page: Race Times
