The new Greyhounds Australasia Rules commenced on 1 May 2022 and Chief Greyhound Steward Wade Hadley said the changes are notable, including Rule 127 which deals with the period of suspension to be imposed for marring or failing to pursue.

The new Rule 127 provides:

Subject to rule 125 [69B], where, in the opinion of the Stewards, a greyhound is found to have marred or failed to pursue the lure during an Event the Stewards must impose a period of suspension in respect of the greyhound, which is to be recorded as part of the identification record as follows:

(a)  in the case of a first offence, 28 days at the track where the offence occurred and until the completion of a satisfactory trial; or

(b) subject to Rule 128 [R70], in the case of a second offence, 28 days at all tracks and until completion of a satisfactory trial; or

(c) in the case of a third or subsequent offence, three months at all tracks and until the completion of two satisfactory trials.

Therefore, the former marring (former Rule 69) and failing to pursue (former Rule 69A) penalties are no longer dealt with separately and are now combined.

For example, a greyhound’s first penalty may be for failing to pursue, its second for marring, and third for failing to pursue, or any combination of the two.

This is a substantial change to the marring and failing to pursue penalty structure.

Previously, a first offence was a suspension for 28 days at the track where the offence occurred and the completion of a satisfactory trial, a second offence was a suspension for three months at all tracks and the completion of a satisfactory trial, and a third or subsequent offence was a suspension for 12 months at all tracks and until the completion of a satisfactory trial.

The new rule proposes that the first offence be a suspension of 28 days at the track where the offence occurred and the completion of a satisfactory trial.

A second offence is a suspension of 28 days at all tracks and the completion of a satisfactory trial.

The third or subsequent offence is a suspension of three months at all tracks and the completion of two  satisfactory trials.

The rationale behind this amendment is to enable greyhounds a better opportunity to continue racing should the greyhound be a repeat offender under these rules.

Failing to pursue by reason of injury (former Rule 69B and new Rule 125) will still apply if applicable for the first failing to pursue offence only.