The Ladbrokes Country Classic is a marquee feature event for middle‐distance greyhounds, introduced by GRNSW in 2022.
Rotating among regional venues, the final is hosted each March by the Dubbo Greyhound Club—a true honour for the local racing community.
Run over a 605m distance, this non‐graded final not only tests a greyhound’s speed and stamina but also offers substantial prize money.
With a current record of 34.46 seconds and a first prize around $100,000, the Country Classic has quickly established itself as a highlight on the racing calendar.
The 2026 event runs a full series of heats, semi‐finals, and a grand final—with heats scheduled at the beginning of March.
Currently no odds are available for the 2026 Country Classic.
The 2026 Country Classic field will be announced after all the heats have been run.
Betting on the Country Classic presents punters with a unique opportunity to engage with a middle‐distance contest that requires both tactical pace and endurance.
The top online bookmakers, including Dabble, BlondeBet, and others, offer competitive fixed‑odds markets once the heats have concluded and the final’s box draw is made.
Punters can also take advantage of early all-in markets that Neds and Bet365 offer on the eventual winner prior to the heats—snapping up value if they can correctly pinpoint the greyhound with the best chance.
With the race’s sizeable betting pools and the allure of a lucrative prize purse, bettors will find a dynamic betting environment bolstered by exclusive promotions, enhanced odds, and attractive sign-up offers.
In the run-up to the final, it’s wise to monitor the latest betting prices and bookmaker promotions to ensure you’re well-positioned to take advantage of every betting opportunity on this highly anticipated event.
Check out which bookmaker codes accept our GETON sign-up code.
Introduced in 2022 as part of a new initiative by Greyhound Racing NSW, the Ladbrokes Country Classic quickly captured the imagination of the racing public.
The inaugural final, hosted in Dubbo, saw John and Minnie Finn’s Zipping Kyrgios surge from a box one draw to claim victory—delivering an emotional win for his connections and the local Hallinan family and setting the stage for what would become a major feature on the regional calendar.
His win, which earned his connections a remarkable prize (reportedly around $125,000), was a highly emotional moment for the Finns and the local Hallinan family, whose support helped fill the stands in what many hailed as the best night on a racetrack.
The event continued to build its legacy in 2023 when John and Julie Smart’s Showman Jack claimed the title.
Jumping from Box 1 and making the most of a prized alley to overcome early traffic issues, Showman Jack rallied from behind early leader Ailee Bale to secure a thrilling win by 2.25 lengths—with a final time clocked at 34.48 seconds.
Trainer John Smart, a veteran with Group race experience, expressed his joy in a manner reminiscent of his past successes in big feature events.
In 2024, the race saw another captivating edition when Bella Una, trained by Jack and Maree Smith, defied expectations from an apparently unsuitable Box 8 draw.
Leading from the start in a bold front-running performance, Bella Una set a new personal best of 34.72 seconds, beating her kennelmate Palawa King by 2.5 lengths and taking third for Minnie Finn’s stable.
This impressive win pushed her career earnings just over $200,000 from 36 starts and further cemented the Country Classic’s status as a major feature event in the regional racing calendar.
2025 saw Jungle Johnny add his seventh straight win when we won the Country Classic ina new race record of 34.46. Jumping from box six as the $2.90 second favourite with the top greyhound bookmakers, the Mark Gatt-trained chaser tracked across smartly behind Kangaroo Jack and quickly settled into a stalking position.
Down the back straight, Jungle Johnny burst clear, opening up a significant break and holding off a fast-finishing Late Night News to score by half a length in 34.46.
With each running, the Ladbrokes Country Classic continues to grow in prestige—drawing top middle-distance talent, energising local crowds, and providing punters with thrilling racing and robust betting opportunities.
As Dubbo proudly hosts the final each March, the event remains a testament to the enduring appeal of greyhound racing in regional Australia.
2025 Country Classic Final ResultsDubbo 605m NGS $100,000 to-the-winner Saturday, March 22, 2025
|
|
| 1st |
6 Jungle Johnny
T: Mark GattTime: 34.46Margin:
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| 2nd |
7 Late Night News
T: Caorline HughesTime: 34.49Margin: 0.50 Lengths
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| 3rd |
5 Kangaroo Jack
T: Sydney SwainTime: 35.07Margin: 8.75 Lengths
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| 4th |
4 Gets Late Early
T: Melinda FinnTime: 35.15Margin: 9.75 Lengths
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| 5th |
8 Go Bears
T: Ronald UlrickTime: 35.27Margin: 11.50 Lengths
|
6th |
3 Flash On By
T: Raymond SmithTime: 35.28Margin: 11.75 Lengths
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| 7th |
1 Ayden’s Warrior
T: Jodie LordTime: 35.39Margin: 13.25 Lengths
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| FELL |
2 Lucky Blue Book
T: Jodie LordTime: =Margin:
|
Showman Jack, under the guidance of John Smart, delivered a sensational performance in 2023. Covering the 605m distance in just 34.48 seconds and winning by 2-1/4L, he showcased his agility and tactical brilliance. Runner-up Ailee Bale provided a fierce challenge in a race that truly captured the essence of country racing.
2023 Country Classic Results
In 2022, Zipping Kyrgios, trained by John Finn, demonstrated sheer speed and tenacity on the 605m track at Dubbo. Finishing in 34.49 seconds with a winning margin of 2L, his performance set a high standard for the Country Classic. Fantastic Raven, who fought hard throughout the race, claimed the runner-up spot.
2022 Country Classic Results
| Date | Winner | Trainer | Dist | Boxes | Margin | Time | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Zipping Kyrgios | John Finn | 605m | 1,4,8 | 2L | 34.49sec | Fantastic Raven |
| 2023 | Showman Jack | John Smart | 605m | 1,7,8 | 2-1/4L | 34.48sec | Ailee Bale |
| 2024 | Bella Una | Raymond Smith | 605m | 8,3,7 | 2-1/2L | 34.72sec | Palawa King |
| 2025 | Jungle Johnny | Mark Gatt | 605m | 6,7,5 | 0.50L | 34.46sec | Late Night News |