Hybrid race meetings & grading changes

Monday, 01 Dec, 2025,
by Damien Ractliffe

Hybrid race meetings & grading changes

Greyhound Racing Victoria is introducing hybrid race meetings and updating the Grading Guidelines to provide more flexibility and racing opportunities for participants.

Hybrid Race Meetings – Starting 7 January, 2026

Hybrid meetings allow different race levels to be held at the same venue on the same day.

For example, a hybrid Provincial (level 2) & Tier 3 (Level 3) meeting means you can nominate eligible greyhounds for both Provincial and Tier 3 races at the same meeting.

Preference will always be given to the higher-level races when grading occurs.

Initial Hybrid Meeting Schedule:

Sandown (SAP) – Monday Night

Horsham – Tuesday Twilight

The Meadows (MEP) – Wednesday Night

Ballarat – Wednesday Night

Benefits:

More racing opportunities for greyhounds

Reduced travel for trainers

Full race cards for better wagering

Grading Guideline Updates – Effective 4 December, 2025

New race type codes for Rank Limit (RL-5, RL-6, RL-7, RL-M, RL-RW) and Bottom Up (B-5, B-6, B-7, B-M, B-RW) races at Level 3 for clearer form guides.

Grade alignment: Once a greyhound reaches Grade 5+, the greyhounds’ Sandown Provincial (SAP) and Meadows Provincial (MEP) grades will always equal or be higher than its Metro grades (SAN, MEA).

Mixed 6/7 events: When multiple events over the same distance occur, the Banded selection method will apply.

Early race endorsed greyhounds: May be omitted at the grader’s discretion if scheduling is impacted (GRV LR50.5).

Multi-Stage Events: If insufficient nominations are received, events will reduce to a single stage with advertised prize money and bonuses applied except for events 601m+ where a single heat will be conducted.

For more information, please click here to see the Grading Guidelines.

FAQs

What is a hybrid race meeting?

A hybrid meeting allows different race levels (e.g., Provincial and Tier 3) to be held at the same venue on the same day, giving trainers more flexibility.

When will hybrid meetings start?

Hybrid meetings will commence from 7 January 2026 onwards at Sandown (Monday night), Horsham (Tuesday twilight), The Meadows (Wednesday night), and Ballarat (Wednesday night) and maybe expanded based on the success of the initiative.

How do I nominate for a hybrid meeting?

Nominations are made through FastTrack or contacting Racing Services. Eligible greyhounds can be entered into any race level offered at that meeting. The level of races will be listed next to each option. See video below for further information.

Why are hybrid meetings being introduced?

To provide more racing opportunities, reduce travel for trainers, and help deliver full race cards for better wagering outcomes.

What are the new race type codes?

Rank Limit races will use RL-5, RL-6, RL-7, RL-M, RL-RW, and Bottom Up races will use B-5, B-6, B-7, B-M, B-RW for clearer form guides.

Will these changes affect grading?

Yes at The Meadows and Sandown. Once a greyhound reaches Grade 5 or higher, its Sandown Provincial (SAP) and Meadows Provincial (MEP) grades will always equal or be higher than its Metro grades (SAN, MEA).

Will there be any changes to the current Tier 3 or Rank Limit advertised events at The Meadows (MEP) and Sandown (SAP)?

Yes, these events will now carry level 3 prizemoney and level 3 ranking points. Some Restricted Win races will be advertised however all other races at level 3 will be graded off nominations received.

Will maiden, Grade 7 & 6 Tier 3 events be available at The Meadows (MEP) and Sandown (SAP)?

Yes, at select MEP and SAP meeting, Tier 3 events will be available to nominate for. They are now standard races and not advertised. Hybrid Meetings will either be Provincial Tier 3, Provincial Rank Limit or Provincial Bottom Up and this can be found in the meeting type.

Damien Ractliffe

A public affairs and communications specialist, working with Greyhound Racing Victoria after a career as an award-winning racing and sport journalist.