GRV this week launched its fifth SEN Track Gippsland Festival of Racing at the Sale Greyhound Racing Club.
Three major events will start with the Group 1 GOLD FM Sale Cup (650m) on Boxing Day (heats this Sunday) followed by the Warragul Cup on January 14 and culminating with the Traralgon Cup on Australia Day.
With more than $250,000 in cash and prizes to be won across the three cups, the festival will see some of the best dogs in Australia competing.
GRV General Manager of Strategic Communications, Louise Martin, said to see this festival grow as it has is a testament to the commitment of the Gippsland Clubs and the support from regional communities.
“As an industry, greyhound racing contributes more than $50 million into the Gippsland region and employs nearly 500 people which is a significant injection into the community,” Louise said.
“Also, the Gippsland Festival is the perfect springboard for GRV’s other major festivals in 2022, including the Seaside Festival at Warrnambool and the Western Festival of Racing.”
Ticket sales for the $75,000 to-the-winner Sale Cup on Boxing Day will see a significant return in the number of patrons to the track after two trying years.
General Manager of Sale Greyhounds, Peter Johnston, said the club was anticipating a crowd of up to 5000 to their Cup, which has attracted interest from some of the best middle and long distance greyhounds in the country, including the likes of Mepunga Ruby, Gypsy Wyong, Zac’s Entity and McCooly’s Lad to name just a few.
WATCH: Thrill of the Chase feature on the new Traralgon track and greyhound racing’s 2021/22 Gippsland Festival of Racing launch.
With the Warragul Cup meeting having gone from strength to strength over the past few years the club is looking to deliver one of the most exciting nights of racing for many years.
Warragul Greyhound Racing Club General Manager, Tony Mitchell, said the $50,000 first prize would attract a class field.
“The event gives all of Gippsland the chance to witness some of Victoria’s best trainers and greyhounds in action,” he said.
With the festival concluding at Traralgon, some of Australia’s best greyhounds will be on show at the club’s new J-Curve track.
KEY DATES
Group 1 Sale Cup: Sunday 26 December (Won by Jarick Bale)
Group 2 Warragul Cup: Friday 14 January
Group 2 Traralgon Cup: Wednesday 26 January
The $6 million venue will see a return to racing at Tralagon after an 18-month closure for construction for the world-first track.
General Manager of the Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club, Steve Clarke, said the day would usher in a new start for greyhound racing in the region.
“As a club we cannot wait to showcase what we’ve built at Traralgon,” he said.
“It’s a state of the art track that ensures safety for the greyhounds, state of the art facilities for our guests and, importantly, an opportunity for our club to contribute back to the community.”
