Glossary

Arm Trial:

A trial where the greyhound is allowed to catch and grab an artificial lure after running a nominated distance.

Board Steward:

A person employed and empowered by the Board of GRSA to conduct race meetings and enforce the Rules of Greyhound Racing in South Australia.

Box Draw:

The official random computerised drawing of the starting positions (box) of the greyhounds in a race or event. Describes the action of drawing the official starting positions of the runners in a race or event.

Box:

Generally used to describe the starting position drawn in an event.

Breaking in Track:

Any trial track used predominantly to teach greyhounds to jump from the starting boxes and chase a lure, generally 300 to 400 metres in length, may be straight, circle or oval in shape. The track must be registered with GRSA.

Brood Bitch:

A female greyhound used for or intended to be used for breeding.

Bullring:

A circular steel rail inside a small circular running surface with a hand operated artificial lure, generally not exceeding a 60 metre circumference, used predominantly to teach greyhounds to jump from the starting boxes and chase an artificial lure.

Catching Pen:

A section of the racetrack capable of being enclosed to stop and catch the greyhounds at the end of a race; this generally includes a run-off chute.

Check:

Interference received by the greyhound during a race, possibly causing the greyhound to lose momentum and time (lengths) in that race.

Chief Steward:

The Steward in charge of the GRSA Board Stewards Panel.

Circle Track:

Generally used to describe an oval or circular Trial or Racetrack.

Club Steward:

A person employed by a Racing Club to officiate and assist the Board Stewards during a race meeting.

Coursing Club:

A Registered Greyhound Racing Club that conducts Plumpton meetings (see Coursing, Plumpton).Coursing: Consists of a race where two greyhounds compete on a straight track and are released from a set of slips instead of a Starting Box. Generally conducted with a Drag Lure.

Dam:

The mother of a litter of registered pups. A Brood Bitch that is the registered producer of a specific greyhound.

Day Yard:

A wire mesh enclosed space generally not exceeding 50 square metres where one or more greyhounds may spend periods of time recuperating outdoors.

Distance:

Used to describe the distance covered by runners in a race from the front of the starting box to the finish line. Generally measured 1 metre out from the rail.

Drag Lure:

A hand operated or battery operated winch used to pull a small piece of sheepskin or cloth along the centre of a Slipping Track to entice a greyhound to run to the other end.

Exercise Yard:

A series of 2 or more long narrow fenced enclosures used to exercise greyhounds adjacent to each other. Each yard is generally 100 to 120 metres in length and 4 metres wide.

Field:

Generally used to describe the combined runners in a race.

Form Guide:

A publication listing the race performances of the greyhounds in a specific race (refer to The Watchdog available at www.grsa.com.au)

Form:

Generally used to describe the recent performances of a greyhound

GAP:

Abbreviation for “Greyhound Adoption Program”. This program is financed and administered by GRSA to place retired greyhounds in private homes as pets.

GOTBA:

Abbreviation for “Greyhound Owner Trainer Breeder Association”. This is an association dedicated to protect the rights of greyhound owner’s, trainers, and breeders.

Greyhounds Australia (GA):

Greyhounds Australasia is the constituted body representing all of the legislated State Greyhound Authorities in Australia and New Zealand.

Grade:

Used to describe the classification of a specific race, and/or the classification of a greyhound at a specific Racetrack and distance.

Kennel:

Describes the individually enclosed space used to house a single greyhound.

Kennels:

May describe a group of individual kennel spaces in a single building and/or a property that has the facilities for housing (kennelling) greyhounds.

Lure Arm:

The arm that protrudes out from the Lure Carriage to which the Lure is attached.

Lure Carriage:

The mechanical trolley used to carry the lure along the inside rail of a Race or Trial track.

Lure Training:

The action of allowing a greyhound to chase and/or catch a lure attached to a mechanical device.

Lure:

The actual item used to entice a greyhound to chase, generally consists of an artificial toy designed to resemble a large rabbit or hare.

Maiden:

Describes a greyhound that has yet to win a race, and/or to describe a specific grade of race for greyhounds yet to win a race.

Margin:

The lengths between each greyhound during and race and across the finishing line (a length = 0.067)

NCA:

National Coursing Association

Interstate Nomination Form:

The approved Form that must be used to lodge a Nomination for interstate greyhounds wishing to nominate for a Victorian racing event.

Nomination:

The act of nominating a greyhound for inclusion into a race or event either conducted by phone or online.

Owner Trainer (C2):

A person Registered by GRSA to train greyhounds of which he or she is the Owner or part Owner of.

Owner:

A person Registered by GRSA for the purpose of owning a Registered greyhound eligible to be nominated for a race or event.

Plumpton:

The type of race/event where two greyhounds compete on a straight track and are released from a Slip Lead instead of a Starting Box. Generally conducted with a Drag Lure.

Private Trial:

A Trial where the time recorded by the greyhound is not on display to the general public.

Public Trainer:

A person Registered by GRV to train greyhounds for a registered owner.

Public Trial:

A trial where the time recorded by the greyhound is displayed for the general public to view.

Puppy Yard:

A wire meshes enclosure where young greyhounds to the age of four months are kept. May be attached to a Whelping Kennel.

Qualifying Trial:

Trials that are conducted by a Race Club under race conditions to select greyhounds for inclusion into a specific race or event.

Race Kennel:

A Kennel where a greyhound is housed at a racetrack prior to racing.

Race Program:

A listing of the races/events to be conducted at a specific meeting, the names of greyhounds and trainers, the official box draw, and may include the recent form of the greyhounds engaged. May also be used to list proposed races/events to be held at a specific venue at a future date.

Racetrack:

May be used to describe a specific race venue and/or the actual running surface and area set aside for the conduct of a race or event.

Race:

Used to describe the actual race/event.

Railing:

When a greyhound moves to the inside of the field and follows the rail during a race.

Racing Kennel:

A Kennel where a single greyhound in race training is housed.

Rearing Yard:

A wire mesh enclosure used to house young greyhounds, generally between the ages of four to thirteen months of age. Generally includes a building (kennel) used as sleeping quarters.

Registered:

Used to describe the condition of being registered with GRSA. May be applied to person or greyhound.

Registration Certificate:

The Certificate issued by GRSA that lists the Registered name of the greyhound, whelping date, the names of Sire and Dam, and the name/s of the Registered Owner/s.

Registration:

The act of becoming registered. May be applied to person or greyhound.

Selection Trial:

See Qualifying Trial.

Sire:

A Stud dog that is the Registered father of a specific greyhound.

Slipping Track:

A long narrow wire mesh enclosure used to allow a greyhound free running exercise.

Spell:

When a greyhound has a break from racing (e.g. injury).

Spelling Kennel:

A designated kennel, perhaps away from other dogs or disturbances, for greyhounds that are having a break from racing generally due to injury.

Split times:

The time (seconds) in which the leading greyhound approached the designated section of the track.

Starting Boxes:

The point all greyhounds begin a race from, electronically driven for the lids to lift when the lure reaches a certain point.

Straight Track:

A long fenced off area; approximately 400m where greyhounds can be slipped or free galloped. Normally grass or sand surface.

Swab:

Routine samples taken from a greyhound following a race (generally urine).

Trainer:

A registered member of GRSA who cares and outlays training regimes for racing or potential racing greyhounds.

Training:

The processes involved in getting the greyhound into a condition suitable for racing. Involves diet, trialling, racing and general care of greyhounds.

Trial Track:

A registered entity with GRV, which operate smaller circular racing tracks, approximately 400m, normally used when breaking greyhounds in before heading to the actual racetrack.

Trial:

Can be solo, double or in a half-field, where greyhounds go around a racing track similar to race conditions obtaining split and overall time for an indication of performance.

VBIS:

Abbreviation for Victorian Breeders Incentive Scheme. A scheme designed to promote and reward Victorian bred greyhounds.

Vetted/vetting:

Observations made by the track veterinarian following a race where an injury/illness stand off period is given to a greyhound.

Whelping Date:

The date a litter of pups were born.

Whelping Kennel:

A specific kennel designed for the birth of a littler of pups, would include a larger bed for mother and puppies and electricity outlets for lighting and heating.

Wide (running wide):

When a greyhound moves to the outside of the field during a race.