New slots available for WA’s The Sandgroper race after slot holders decline option
Despite the prospect of the West Australia's (WA) greyhound slot-race The Sandgroper being worth $600,000 in 2023, several slot holder have declined to renew their slots in the race.
The 2024 Sandgroper race will be the second running of the ‘pop-up' style slot racing which was run for the first time in 2023.
However; despite the lure of an extra $100,000 in prizemoney on offer, several slot holders have failed to show interest in racing again in 2024.
Racing and Wagering West Australia (RWWA), who run the slot race, have been tight-lipped about who failed to re-sign on for 2024.
In 2023 the slot holders all had to put up $44,000 plus GST to secure their berth in the race.
With the increased prizemoney on offer in 2024, RWWA have elected to leave the slot fee the same, but now require a commitment to the slot for the next three years.
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ian Edwards said “Slots in the world's first and only tri-code slot race series are proving to be greatly valued and tightly held,” Edwards said.
“Our inaugural slot holders held an option to renew their involvement for a further three-years and almost all have seized the chance.
“A very limited number of slots have become available in The Quokka and The Sandgroper next year, while the Nullarbor is expected to remain fully subscribed,” said Edwards.
In 2023, the inaugural The Sandgroper slot holders were:
- Ladbrokes
- Sports Entertainment Network (SEN)
- Sportsbet
- RAM Racing Syndicate
- TABtouch
- Team Britton and Friends
- Team Guess
- Total Container Solutions
The 2023 The Sandgroper $300,000 winners purse went the way of winning slot holders Total Container Solutions, when Crumble Monelli lead from box rise in a brilliant 29.64 seconds for the Cannington 520 metre trip.
Crumble Monelli, defeated slot holders Team Guess with their greyhound Momentum, and Elite Machine was third for slot holder Ram Racing Syndicate.
2024 The Sandgroper – Crumble Monelli (29.64) T: Dave Hobby S: Total Container Solutions
In 2023 the prizemoney distribution was:
- 1st: $300,000
- 2nd: $75,000
- 3rd: $50,000
- 4th to 8th -A$15,000
In 2024, the winning prizemoney remains at $300,000 but the unplaced greyhounds have received the bulk of the $100,000 increase.
2024 The Sandgroper Prizemoney Payouts
- 1st: $300,000
- 2nd: $75,000
- 3rd: $50,000
- 4th: $35,000
- 5th – 8th: $33,500
Despite the failure of some Sandgroper slot holders to not renew their options, and the fact slot holders now need to commit to three years of buy-ins, RWWA CEO Edwards remains bouyant about the series.
“The Western Trilogy is a bold and innovative concept we successfully launched this year and we intend to build its importance into the future.
“The Western Trilogy has been a highlight of this year and generated $6 million of economic value for Western Australia.
“Importantly, bringing all three racing codes together for a unique and innovative racing carnival also captured the interest of race fans nationwide.
“We have extended the race series across three days next year, with The Sandgroper to run on Thursday, April 18, followed by The Nullarbor on Friday evening at Gloucester Park and ending with a huge day at Ascot on Saturday for The Quokka.
“We have asked the slot holders to sign up for a three-year commitment until 2026 to give the series stability into the future,” Edwards said.
RWWA have not said how many The Sandgroper slots are available, but applications close on October 16, 2023.
The 2024 Western Trilogy will be held across April 18-20, 2024.