It’s been 16 years since Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) started one of the most memorable series of events on the greyhound racing calendar; The Great Chase.
Since 2003 GRV has donated more than $600,000 to community organisations who care for intellectually or physically disabled people, and the event has been supported since 2008 by TAB. All Victorian greyhound clubs participate and invite their local community groups – clients and carers – to a special community day where they have the opportunity to win prize money.
Further, every group that attends a Great Chase community day at their local racetrack are then invited to the TAB Great Chase Final at The Meadows on Wednesday 23 October, where eight organisations are randomly drawn a runner in the Great Chase Grand Final. The eight lucky groups drawn share in an extra $24,000 prize money, including $10,000 to the group which draws the winning greyhound.
All guests attending Great Chase events receive full catering, a show bag and a chance to meet the stars of the show – the greyhounds. In 2018, Broadmeadows Disability Services won $10,000 at the grand final but were equally excited by a personal visit to the centre by the greyhound which won the Grand Final, Go Commando.
The race itself attracts a great number of promising young greyhounds, who can make the final through the heats, to vie for the ultimate $47,000 winner’s purse. As the heats start in regional clubs, it can be a good opportunity for less experienced dogs to make it through to a metro final. Go Commando was a reserve in the race last year but surprised all when he provided breeder and owner Peter Knott with his biggest win yet.
Community Series Calendar
CLUB | DATE | ARTICLES |
Warragul | Thursday 29 August 2019 | Mawarra reward for dedication to the Chase |
Cranbourne | Monday 2 September 2019 | Alkira to clean up after Great Chase windfall |
Geelong | Tuesday 3 September 2019 | The Great Chase – just the Trick! |
Sale | Thursday 5 September 2019 | 200 on course at Sale Great Chase |
Bendigo | Friday 6 September 2019 | Bendigo groups continue the tradition |
Ballarat | Monday 9 September 2019 | Colour takes over Ballarat Great Chase |
Horsham | Tuesday 10 September 2019 | Chasing winners in the Wimmera |
Shepparton | Thursday 12 September 2019 | Shepparton Great Chase – another great success |
Sandown | Sunday 22 September 2019 | The Great Chase – Where the big dogs fly! |
Warrnambool | Thursday 3 October 2019 | Warrnambool Windfall |
Healesville | Friday 11 October 2019 | Healesville Great Chase – Straight to the fun… |
The Meadows | Wednesday 16 October 2019 | The Meadows Great Chase – another great success |
Great Chase Final at The Meadows |
Wednesday 23 October 2019 | The Great Chase, where everybody wins |
The content on this page was accurate at the time of publishing. If you notice any inaccurate content on this page or anywhere on the website, please report it here