Greyhound racing will to return to free-to-air television this year as a series of one-hour live specials on the Seven Network, Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) Chair, Peita Duncan, announced today.
“GRV will be working with Seven to screen three of Victoria’s biggest race nights across 7mate/7TWO in a historic deal for the code,” Ms Duncan said.
“This will provide great coverage for fans while giving more people the opportunity to discover the speed, passion and colour of greyhound racing.”
The first special will feature the 2020 Group 1 TAB Australian Cup at The Meadows from 9pm on Saturday 29 February where the best of the best greyhounds will compete for the $300,000 first prize.
The second will cover The Launching Pad at Sandown Park on Thursday 9 April which is Australia’s only sweep stakes series returns with $420,000 in prizemoney for the nation’s best emerging greyhounds
The third special on Friday 27 November will deliver live coverage of the Group 1 TAB Melbourne Cup from Sandown Park, the biggest night of greyhound racing on the national calendar with more than $1 million in prizemoney across the 12-race programme.
Joining the specials will be the return of the greyhound magazine show Thrill of The Chase, a five-part, one-hour series later in 2020.
Developed by GRV with Crocmedia and hosted by Jack Heverin, James Van de Maat and GRV’s Molly Haines, the Thrill Of The Chase debuted in 2019, taking viewers inside the world of greyhound racing and showcasing its brightest stars.
The live broadcasts and magazine program, supported by TAB, will be produced and distributed by Crocmedia’s TV production company Rainmaker and broadcast nationally.
Ms Duncan said the package of specials and the return of The Thrill of the Chase was a significant investment in the future of the sport that would help grow its audience base.
