Last week’s launch of greyhound racing’s $800,000 Gippsland Carnival drew plenty of media attention, and laid a solid foundation for plenty more coverage over the four-month Carnival.

Western Bulldogs Captain Bob Murphy, originally from Warragul, is the face of the Gippsland Carnival and proved an excellent hook for media at Seaspray’s 90 Mile Beach on Thursday morning.

“I’ve got a sneaking suspicion I was asked down here because I’m built like a greyhound more than most AFL footballers,” Murphy joked.

That evening, a large contingent of Gippsland media and influential local business people attended a cocktail event at Traralgon’s recently developed greyhound racetrack to learn more about the exciting new carnival which is set to bolster the Gippsland economy through a combination of advertising, promotion, event activation and prize money.
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Murphy formed part of an entertaining panel on the night that also included AFL commentator Anthony Hudson and greyhound race caller James Van de Maat.

The Gippsland Carnival will run for four months incorporating the Sale Cup (Dec 26), Warragul Cup (Jan 28), Cranbourne Cup (Feb 11) and Traralgon Cup (Mar 25), with key sprint and distance events held across all four cups that will tie into lucrative bonus prize money.

Greyhound trainers are encouraged to prepare their sprinters and stayers for the first leg of the Gippsland Carnival – at Sale – with nominations for the Sale Cup (650m) and the Gippsland Carnival Sprint Launch (440m) closing on 14 December.

RELATED: BONUS PRIZE MONEY SYSTEM EXPLAINED

GIPPSLAND CARNIVAL KEY DATES – LEG 1 (SALE)
Wed 14 December: Noms close for Sale Cup Heats (650m) & Gippsland Carnival Sprint Launch Heats (440m)
Fri 16 December: Entries close for Colours on Course fashion competition
Sun 18 December: Sale Cup Heats & Gippsland Carnival Sprint Launch Heats
Mon 26 December: Sale Cup Final & Gippsland Carnival Sprint Launch Final

WIN A DISNEYLAND HOLIDAY
Purchase one of our great value ‘Family’ or ‘VIP’ Packages on-line now at www.gippslandcarnival.com.au, have your Gippsland Carnival passport stamped at two of the four country cups, and you’ll go into the draw to win a family holiday to Disneyland.

COLOURS ON COURSE
Win some great prizes in the Colours on Course competition. Entries close Friday 16 December. Full details, click here

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Please note that Parks Victoria granted GRV a permit to stage the event on Seaspray beach, the area was fenced off, and it was compliant with the Domestic Animals Act.