Geelong Greyhound Racing Club is excited to announce that next month’s Group 2 Geelong Gold Cup will be run over 520 metres.

The change is a break from tradition, with the Cup moving to the inside track at the Beckley Centre, having historically been run as a one-bend race, most recently over 460 metres.

Heats will be held on Friday 16 October, with the $50,000 to-the-winner final to be conducted on Friday 23 October.

“The decision to change the distance of the Geelong Gold Cup is something our club certainly hasn’t made lightly,” said Geelong GRC President, Brian Parkinson.

“We see this as a real opportunity to test the water and see how much interest there is in a country cup over 520 metres at the Beckley Centre.”

“It would certainly add a point of difference, as it will mean we are the only country cup held on a two bend track in the whole of western Victoria.”

“It will also help us determine whether conducting our cup over the 520 metres is in the best interests of the club, and the industry more broadly, going forward.”

First run in 1962, the annual Geelong Gold Cup is the premier greyhound race held by the Geelong GRC, and is regarded as one of the most prestigious racing events throughout provincial Victoria.

Incidentally, the Geelong Gold Cup is set for a new home on the racing calendar, moving to April from next year as part of Victorian greyhound racing’s first ever Western Festival.