Strategic punters will be putting plenty of thought into which greyhounds they think will be crowned Gippsland’s champion sprinter and champion stayer at the completion of greyhound racing’s brand new Gippsland Carnival, which runs over four months starting with the Sale Cup on Boxing Day.

TAB has opened markets for both of the Gippsland Carnival’s sprinting and staying streams, each of which include four events incorporated across race meetings for the Sale Cup (Boxing Day), Warragul Cup (January), Cranbourne Cup (February) and Traralgon Cup (March).

As well as having the prestige that comes with being crowned Gippsland’s champion sprinter or stayer, the best performing greyhounds will also share in bonus prize money.

Pantera Nera is the $9 favourite to win the sprint stream, while Burn One Down, despite not making the Sale Cup final, is favourite to win the staying stream at $2.00.

Plenty of intrigue surrounds both markets, particularly with the likes of Dundee Osprey, who is at $16 in both the sprint and distance streams. The versatile superstar  is the favourite in Monday night’s Sale Cup but could easily switch to the sprint legs given the rich prize money on offer in the Warragul, Cranbourne and Traralgon Cups.

The same can be said for Zambora Brockie, who bypassed the Sale leg of the carnival. While he is a country cups specialist, trainer Anthony Azzopardi has indicated that he has plans to step him up in distance, and races such as the GDR Distance Challenge (Warragul), Victoria Cup (Cranbourne) and the Distance Cup (Traralgon) may appeal.

A number of greyhounds have already begun tallying points by achieving top four placings in the heats of the Sale Cup and Gippsland Sprint Launch, with more points to be accrued in the finals of those races on Boxing Day evening including 16 points to the winners of both events.
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POINTS SYSTEM:

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SPRINT SERIES

RACES:
– Gippsland Sprint Launch (Sale) – 440m (Dec 26)
– Warragul Cup – 460m (Jan 28)
– Cranbourne Cup – 520m (Feb 11)
– Traralgon Cup – 525m (Mar 25)

TAB MARKET (SPRINTERS): CLICK HERE

RUNNING POINTS TALLY (SPRINTERS)
8 – Aussie Infrared; Jesaulenko; Steel The Best
7 – Coolan King; Pantera Nera; Your Shout Punk
6 – Aston Bolero; To The Galo’s; Zipping Arnold
5 – Absolute Silence; Super Sook; Zipping Vito

GIPPSLAND SPRINT LAUNCH FINAL (440m) – Monday 8:42pm
Points on offer: 16 (1st); 14 (2nd); 12 (3rd); 10 (4th)
1. Coolan King
2. Aussie Infrared
3. To The Galo’s
4. Your Shout Punk
5. Jesaulenko
6. Aston Bolero
7. Pantera Nera
8. Steel The Best
Reserves
9. Zipping Arnold
10. Absolute Silence
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STAYING SERIES

RACES:
– Sale Cup – 650m (Dec 26)
– GDR Distance Challenge (Warragul) – 680m (Jan 28)
– Victoria Cup (Cranbourne) – 699m (Feb 11)
– Traralgon Distance Cup – 665m (Mar 25)

TAB MARKET (STAYERS): CLICK HERE

STAYING RUNNING POINTS TALLY
8 – Aston Harvey; Chrichton Bale; Dewana Dimie; Dundee Osprey; Ring The Bell; Zipping Kane
7 – Alera Bale; Aeroplane Tommy; Brolly Bale; Burn One Down; Runway Bono; Trip To Eden
6 – Fanta Bale; Mepunga Rosie; Nangar Flame; Ramifications; Polijuice Potion; Zipping Silva
5 – Allen Oregon; Bogie Bekim; Dublin Bull; Jaimandy Hatty; Linco Bale; Lovelace;

SALE CUP (650m) – Monday 9:06pm
Points on offer: 16 (1st); 14 (2nd); 12 (3rd); 10 (4th)
1. Chrichton Bale
2. Dundee Osprey
3. Aston Harvey
4. Brolly Bale
5. Ring The Bell
6. Dewana Dimie
7. Zipping Kane
8. Aeroplane Tommy
Reserves
9. Trip to Eden
10. Alera Bale

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2016/17 GIPPSLAND CARNIVAL – KEY DATES AND PRIZE MONEY