Victorian greyhounds are set to contest the National Championships finals tonight at Queensland’s new state-of-the-art facility, The Q. This innovative venue boasts three separate race tracks, all to be utilised at tonight’s highly anticipated meeting.

The championships feature three major finals – the National Sprint, National Distance, and National Straight Track Championships. Each race comprises top greyhounds from across Australia, representing their respective jurisdictions.

The headline event is the National Sprint final which features three formidable Victorians. Mepunga Reward secured his spot by winning the Victorian qualifier. Since his return to racing in March, he has consistently proven to be one of Australia’s most powerful and entertaining sprinters, he enters tonight’s final as the favourite. Joining him are fellow Victorian sprinters Tim Zoo and Flying Zulu, who earned wildcard spots as the country’s two highest-ranked greyhounds not to progress through their state final.

Mepunga Reward (2), Tim Zoo (6) and Flying Zulu (7) in the Sprint qualifer. 

Victoria also holds a strong hand in the National Distance final, with Without A Trace and Ethanol Water representing the ‘Big V’. Without A Trace, considered Australia’s most promising stayer, is the favourite. While Without A Trace carries significant promise, she is yet to eclipse Ethanol Water’s standing as the nation’s premier stayer. Ethanol Water aims for her fourth Group 1 victory, pushing her prize money past an impressive $700,000.

Without A Trace (7) and Ethanol Water (5) in the Distance qualifier.

The National Straight Track Championship completes tonight’s trio of majors. Victoria plays a significant role again, led by Mile A Minute and Serial Sticker. Mile A Minute is defending his title, having won this exact event last year at Murray Bridge. The pair have developed a compelling rivalry through numerous clashes and have trialled impressively in preparation for the feature.

Mile A Minute (1) and Serial Sticker (2) in the Straight tracker qualifer. 

Victoria is widely regarded as the strongest greyhound jurisdiction in the world. A clean sweep of tonight’s features would be a fitting testament to the state’s dominance.

The Straight Track final is scheduled first at 7.07pm on Q Straight, followed by the Distance final at 8.33pm, and the Sprint final at 9.22pm, both held at Q2 Parklands.

Locally at The Meadows tonight, superstar sprinter Lakeview Emily headlines the night’s main event, the Free-For-All (Race 9 at 9.29pm), and meets Paw Oswald for the third consecutive race.