Yesterday’s launch of the third TRFM Gippsland Carnival, Australia’s biggest regional racing series, in Warragul was a fantastic evening of entertainment with sporting royalty in attendance.
Former England cricket captain, Sir Ian Botham, captivated the crowd with stories of his cricketing career and the people he met along the way.
He also spoke of his admirable charity work through Beefy’s Charity Foundation, in which he hosts fundraising events to support cancer research and treatment for youth with health conditions.
In addition to Sir Ian Botham, former AFL footballer and greyhound racing ambassador, Brent Harvey, spoke of the secrets behind his longevity in AFL and how he has fallen in love with greyhound racing since coming on board with GRV.
Other highlights included RSN’s James Van de Maat discussing his love of greyhound racing and the art of a race call, stand-up comedian Marty Fields providing laughs throughout the evening, and a breathtaking firework display to cap off the event.
“It was a great night at Warragul last night and a wonderful feeling to have so many passionate supporters of greyhound racing in the one room,” said GRV Chairman, Bernie Carolan.
“To have people of the calibre of Sir Ian Botham and Brent Harvey supporting our sport really shows the direction we are heading and I’m looking forward to a fantastic Gippsland Carnival.”
The Gippsland Carnival is the biggest regional racing series in Australia and consists of Country Cups in Sale (26 December), Warragul (12 January), Traralgon (26 January), and Cranbourne (9 February); and there were representatives from each of these clubs at the event to celebrate the launch of this exciting series which highlights greyhound racing in the Gippsland area.
And all the action kicks off with the $75,000 GOLD FM Sale Cup on Boxing Day.
The Sale Cup also promises to be a big event with star Melbourne ruckman, Max Gawn watching the races from the Trackside Party Paddock and spinning the wheel for one lucky person to get a chance to win $10,000 or a car.
The following cups in Warragul, Traralgon and Cranbourne also have lucrative purses of $47,000 and will be attended by former Collingwood champion and 2011 Brownlow medallist, Dane Swan.
As well as exceptional greyhound racing, the Gippsland Carnival cups will have free admission and family entertainment.
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