THE NEW SPORT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 140, 3 September 1927, Page 6

THE NEW SPORT

DOGS GOING UP SOLD BEFORE BIRTH Breeders of greyhounds have welcomed the mechanical hare racing, comments a Sydney paper. Since the Greyhound Coursing Association, Ltdstarted the sport at Epping three months ago the value of the racing dog has increased up to 500 per cent, Bogs which could have been purchased 12 months ago for £5 now readily find buyers at £2O and £25. The demand for the greyhound is so keen that the kennels have no hope of meeting requirements. Pups are being sold before they are born. Breeders are doing their best by rearing three times as many dogs, but still cannot oblige all. They, too, race dogs themselves and keep some for that purpose. CHEAPER THAN RACEHORSES It is the cheaper dog which has advanced the most. People who could not afford to race a horse can easily keep a dog and it is they who are going in for the game. The greyhound costs in the vicinity of £ 1 a week to keep and race whereas a horse, even at the ponies, cannot be trained and raced under £5 per week. That is, of course, if it raced weekly. Mechanical hare racing is the poor man’s sport. Many of the dogs competing at Epping are the property of the working man who is there to get the best return for his money. Others, such as Mr. H. V. Foy, do not bother a great deal about the monetary side, but nothing gives them more pleasure than to see their dogs win. It is these men who can afford to pay a big price for a good dog. They, however, are few and far between. Consequently the high price dog has not increased such a great deal. WILL NOT SELL A greyhound which in ordinary times would change hands for £IOO is now worth £l5O or £2OO, but few sales at these figures have taken place as the owners will not part with them. On the other hand, the small man can afford £2O or £25 and dogs at these prices are being sold every week. That is the general value of the greyhounds racing under the electric lights. A cable message recently pointed out that first-class greyhounds in England which cost £3O three months ago are now bringing up to £SOO. There was also a shortage of dogs in England. It is just the opposite here. The Greyhound Coursing Association cannot cope with the number of dogs. Provision is made for 72 to race each Saturday night, but the association could receive twice as many entries without trouble. In fact, the position was becoming so serious, so many owners were disappointed, that the officials were considering putting on two meetings a week. As it is nominations are taken, and the owners do not know whether their dogs'will be engaged until the draw is published. As far as possible the association gives each dog a turn.