Sue McConville had little idea about what to expect when she attended heats of the 2014 TAB Great Chase at the Horsham greyhound races on Tuesday.

However, not long into the excursion she realised that the event falls perfectly into line with the objectives of her employer, EW Tipping Foundation (Warunda campus).

While its name could imply otherwise, EW Tipping Foundation isn’t a betting or form guide service. It is, however, an organisation that ‘engages and connects people with disabilities with their local communities’.

And that’s exactly what the TAB Great Chase is all about.

The TAB Great Chase is an annual event run by Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) that is open to community groups that care for the intellectually or physically disabled. Each of GRV’s tracks hold heats that welcome local community groups to attend, where they are paired with a locally-trained greyhound that runs on their behalf throughout the series.

EW Tipping Foundation (Warunda) was randomly matched to Boolite Bruiser, who won a heat at Horsham meaning they receive $500, with their greyhound progressing through to the semi-finals at Geelong on 25 August.

“I started as a carer at the EW Tipping Foundation in February, so the Great Chase is completely new to me,” McConville said.

“I’ve brought half a dozen clients here with me today and they are having a ball. They know what this is all about, having been here in previous years, but I’ve come here not knowing what to expect and I’m blown away.”

“The greyhound we were matched to won its heat and the guys all got to meet her and get their photo taken with her, so it’s been a very exciting day.”

More than 140 clients and carers from 13 local organisations attended the TAB Great Chase heats at Horsham, where they all got to cheer on their greyhounds and were treated to a roast dinner, ice cream, TAB Great Chase show bag and the chance to meet a pet greyhound named Bart.

Pinnacle Incorporated also receives $500 after their greyhound, Look Another Dee won the other heat at Horsham.

Victoria’s disability sector has shared in more than $300,000 through the TAB Great Chase over the past decade, with at least $40,000 to be distributed during the 2014 series, which runs from 11 August and culminates in the TAB Great Chase Grand Final at The Meadows on Wednesday, 3 September.
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Watch: Boolite Bruiser (4) wins his heat at Horsham in 27.389sec.
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Pictured top: Boolite Bruiser (left) and Look Another Dee (right) lap up the attention after winning heats of the TAB Great Chase at Horsham on Tuesday.
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