Thirteen Victorian greyhound racing clubs will host TAB Great Chase events to support local disability organisations during September and October.
The series of free community events, racing and prizes is hosted by Greyhound Racing Victoria and 13 regional and metropolitan greyhound racing clubs. The series culminates in the TAB Great Chase Final which will be held at The Meadows in Melbourne on October 24.
The event is designed to provide an entertaining day out for disability groups which also have a chance to win prizes. Organised in partnership with Tabcorp, the event is now in its 16th year and has provided over $600,000 to more than 100 community groups that care for the intellectually and physically disabled.
Each racing club invites local disability groups, including staff, clients, their families and carers, to a day or night out at the races to enjoy entertainment, prizes, gift bags and lunch or dinner and, to add to the excitement, each group is randomly assigned greyhounds to cheer on. The greyhounds accrue points according to wins and placings and the groups with the most points at the end of the day take home cash prizes.
In previous years, community groups have used prize money to buy computers, equipment and to pay for excursions and activities.
GRV’s CEO Alan Clayton said the aim of the day was to provide an enjoyable, social day out for staff, clients and their families.
“The Great Chase is about promoting inclusion and supporting local communities,” Mr Clayton said.
“Last year 1440 people, representing 135 organisations, came along to the events. Each club does a tremendous job to ensure that their guests have a great day out. Greyhound racing clubs have a long tradition of supporting community organisations, including sporting clubs, charities and emergency services, and the Great Chase is our biggest community event.”
Organisations will also be invited to attend the Great Chase Final at The Meadows, where eight randomly selected community groups are allocated greyhounds to cheer on for a share of $24,000. The group with the winning dog will take away the grand prize of $10,000 and seven groups will each receive $2000.
Last year, Autism Plus in Melton took out the $10,000 cheque when they drew the winning greyhound, Despacito at the final event. Carmel Grogan, a disability support worker at Autism Plus Melton, attended the final with a group of participants.
“Each and every one of our participants has benefitted from the TAB Great Chase,” Ms Grogan said. “The generosity of GRV has had a huge impact on our organisation.”
Ms Grogan said the organisation used the winnings to bolster programs and provide fantastic experiences for participants at the Melton centre, including a shade cloth for the back yard so activities can be held outside in warmer weather, laptops, a catered Christmas lunch, a karaoke machine, art and craft supplies and most recently, a private movie screening.
The series also has an official racing component to it. Heats will be held at each racing club in the lead up to final at The Meadows where eight greyhounds will compete for a share of $67,000.
The TAB Great Chase series kicks off on September 4 at the Geelong Greyhound Racing Club.
