GRV’s Ready 2 Race greyhound sales are the easiest pathway into owning a racing greyhound, and from 10:00am on Saturday 28 November, 2015 at Bendigo’s Lord’s Raceway, around 80 greyhounds at or near the beginning of their racing careers will compete (mostly in four-dog fields) for the second time in six days, before going to Auction that afternoon.

The average sales price among the 96 greyhounds sold at the 2014 R2R Sales was $5,800, while those greyhounds have earned an average of more than $6,200, with (in most cases) another 12 months or so of racing ahead of them.

Around 80 per cent of greyhounds sold at last year’s sales have gone on to win at least one race and more than 25 per cent have raced in the bright lights of the city.

[youtube youtubeurl=”vzkgLfbefVk” ][/youtube]
WATCH: Troy Harley reviews the action from the 2015 Ready 2 Race Heats (run on Nov 22) and tries to identify a few bargain buys ahead of the Finals & Auction on Saturday 28 November.

[divider] [/divider]
STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO THE READY 2 RACE SALES…

STEP 1 – WORK OUT YOUR BUDGET

Racing a greyhound with friends and family can provide the thrill of a lifetime. So why not round up your mates and work out how much you want to spend. To give you an idea on budget, some of the best buys from the 2014 sales sold for around $6,000 such as:

Cut Loose Max (sale price: $6,250, won so far $62,215)
To The Galo’s (sale price $6,000, won so far $63,530)

Others sold for a lot less yet their return for investment was outstanding, including:
Little Pookie (sale price: $1,250, won so far $21,655)
Dodgy Dede (sale price: $1,800, won so far $10,975)
Locksley Road (sale price $500, won so far $6,645)

And who could forget Kiss Me Ketut, who at the 2012 Ready 2 Race Sales sold for $21,000, yet he went on to win $250,000 before recently retiring to stud.

[divider] [/divider]

STEP 2 – FIND A TRAINER TO JOIN YOUR CORNER

If you are a novice, you will need the help of a greyhound racing expert – ideally a trainer – to help you source a bargain buy. It is in a greyhound trainer’s best interests to help owners find a potential star if they know they are going to train the greyhound for you.

If you or a mate know a greyhound trainer, consider giving them a call and seeing if they’d be interested in helping you find a greyhound that they can train for you. They may even consider tipping some of their own money so you can spend a little more. In most instances there aren’t any training fees involved in racing a greyhound, and prize money is split on a 50/50 basis between the trainer and owner/s.
[divider] [/divider]

STEP 3 – CAN I ROCK UP COLD ON THE DAY OF THE AUCTION?

If you haven’t sourced a trainer in advance, there will be people on hand to help you at the Auction on Saturday, November 28 at Bendigo. It is advisable to arrive at around 9:30am and ask a Ready 2 Race official to point you towards a successful trainer who will be able to assist you in making a purchase and train a greyhound for you.

[divider] [/divider]

STEP 4 – DOWNLOAD A CATALOGUE

All greyhounds available at the auction will be listed in the official 2015 Ready 2 Race Catalogue.

DOWNLOAD THE CATALOGUE

Or collect a hard copy version at:
Greyhound Racing Victoria, Level 3 / 46-50 Chetwynd St, West Melbourne

or your local Victorian greyhound racing club

[divider] [/divider]
STEP 5 – DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Check out the results and watch the replays that took place on Sunday 22 November. Factors to consider include the times they ran, whether they received interference in the run and their age (younger greyhounds will generally have more potential for improvement).

HEAT RESULTS                    HEAT REPLAYS

[divider] [/divider]

STEP 6 – ATTEND THE AUCTION

You (or your trainer) will need to register to bid upon arrival at Bendigo on Saturday 28 November, and you will need to have payment ready on the day (refer to the Frequently Asked Questions Page for payment options).

There’ll be full bar, TAB & dining facilities as well as a live radio broadcast featuring CrocMedia identities Craig Hutchison, Liam Pickering & Dr. Turf, who will be purchasing a few greyhounds on the day on behalf of their listeners (Turfy is always good for a tip on the horses).
[divider] [/divider]
STEP 7 – I JUST BOUGHT A GREYHOUND, NOW WHAT?

It is strongly advised that a qualified greyhound trainer transports your greyhound from the track on the day, as your greyhound will require specialised post-race care and recovery techniques after competing in a race that morning.

Fresh, cool drinking water is essential, as is air-conditioned travel if it is a warm day (above 21 degrees). Your greyhound will also need a collar, lead and muzzle. Note that a lack of post-race care could be detrimental to your greyhound’s health and potentially ruin its future racing prospects.
[divider] [/divider]

STEP 8 – WHAT HAPPENS TO MY GREYHOUND WHEN IT FINISHES RACING?

Greyhound usually race for about two years, barring injury. It is an expectation that greyhound owners are accountable for their greyhound once it retires from racing by pursuing one of the following options…

a) adopting your greyhound as a pet. Having a greyhound as a pet is a very rewarding experience, and most greyhounds are suited to household or apartment living. If you are in a position to provide a loving home for your greyhound, this is the preferred option.

b) finding a loving home (friend or family member) for your greyhound, or

c) enter your greyhound into the Greyhound Adoption Program

[youtube youtubeurl=”BreHTNoO9iw” ][/youtube]
WATCH: Learn about Victoria’s increasingly popular Greyhound Adoption Program and how wonderful greyhounds are as pets.