International invite I won’t be taking up
I applaud the ingenuity — even if it’s just a very minor twist on an age-old marketing ploy — and I’m sure it will result in positive publicity for the sponsors and the greyhound industry alike.
However, there was a lovely little aside to the story which had me in stitches.
Eager to show their involvement with the greyhound and to intertwine their new venture with the Dundalk International, which they also sponsor, they announced an early price of 2-7 on their new beneficiary to win the race.
Firstly, the dog is not tied to running in the race, even with an invitation guaranteed.
Secondly, he’s not yet proven outside of puppy grade and he may not be as prolific in all-aged company as he was as a youngster. He could yet be the best dog in the country but how superior will he be?
Also, we don’t know how he’d cope with Dundalk, what trap he’ll be in or the level of the competition he might face, should he turn up.
And, to wrap it all up nicely, the race isn’t until July! Amazing. Where will he be then? Where will any of us be five months from now?
Of course, it’s all a publicity exercise and so, in this instance, it’s a case of mission accomplished.
There you go Boylesports. There’s your publicity. Thanks for the laugh and for the offer but I’ll politely decline.
You can keep the 2-7. We may talk about it a little later in the year.
