Victorian Bred Greyhounds Now Race For $900,000 Pink Diamond Series
Victorian-bred greyhounds will share in an extra $900,000 annually as part of an exciting revamp of GRV's Racing Calendar.
Changes to the calendar include the introduction of a showpiece event called the VicBred Pink Diamond series, to be conducted in June each year throughout regional Victoria.
The annual Pink Diamond series will incorporate a total of 48 heats across four regional tracks exclusively for greyhounds bred in Victoria, and cater for dogs of various ages and abilities, including veterans races.
First and second placegetters will qualify for a spectacular showcase race night incorporating 12 feature finals, three of which will carry top prize money of $105,000, including $75,000 to the winner, which will come as heartening news to owners and trainers.
Victoria's breeders are also set to cash in on the Pink Diamond initiative, with all 48 heats to carry a $1,000 VicGreys Bonus, 50 per cent of which will go to the breeder, while the showcase finals night will include more than $80,000 in breeder-only bonus payments.
Heats of the inaugural Pink Diamond series will be held on June 10 & 11 at Shepparton, Warragul, Ballarat & Geelong, while the finals will be staged at Bendigo on Friday 18 June, with the intention being to rotate the series throughout regional Victorian tracks each year.
Furthermore, an additional monthly $10,000 VicBred feature event will be included in the racing calendar beginning in February 2021 – equating to an extra $120,000 annually into the VicBred prize pool.
The combined Pink Diamond series and additional $10,000 VicBred monthly event will allocate an extra $903,740 per annum for greyhounds bred in Victoria.
This, together with existing VicBred and VicGreys offerings, will deliver approximately $3.1 million in prize money to be obtained exclusively by Victorian-bred greyhounds each year.
GRV Chair Peita Duncan said the Pink Diamond series is being introduced as part of a broad strategy to keep Victorian-bred greyhounds in the state.
“Victoria conducts more races than any jurisdiction in Australia – across any racing code – and with the new Pink Diamond series providing such substantial prize money opportunities, it will help keep locally bred greyhounds racing here,” Ms Duncan said.
“I'm also particularly pleased that race dogs of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to be involved in this new series, and I'm delighted that Victoria's breeders – along with owners and trainers – will be reaping the rewards, because the Pink Diamond series is all about greyhound racing at the grassroots.”
Pink Diamond Series Victorian Bred Criteria
- A greyhound bred in Victoria, ie. any greyhound with an ear brand starting with the letter ‘V'
Pink Diamond Series Prizemoney & Bonuses
What are they: Bonus prize money offerings in selected races on top of normal prize money which can only be won by VicBred greyhounds competing in those races.
- Number of VicGreys races: 1900 races annually spread across Victoria's 13 race clubs.
- Amount of VicGreys bonus prize money: Up to $1.35m annually.
- Split: 50% Breeder; 50% Owner.
Pink Diamond Series Greyhound Race Events
What are they: Feature racing events for various grades of greyhounds including Maiden and Restricted Win class. These events generally incorporate heats and finals and are open only to VicBred greyhounds.
- Number of VicBred races: 120 events annually spread across Victoria's 13 race clubs.
- Amount of VicBred prize money: $950,000 annually.
- Split: 50% Owner; 50% Trainer.
VicBred Pink Diamond Series
What is it: A new series consisting of heats spread across four regional racetracks in June each year, with first and second placegetters to qualify for a showcase race night incorporating 12 finals at a regional racetrack.
- Number of Pink Diamond races: 48 heats + 12 finals annually.
- Types of races: Maidens, Veterans, Age-restricted, Females-only, Rank Limited, Restricted Wins & Open Class.
- 2021 Heats Dates: June 10 & 11 (Shepparton, Warragul, Ballarat & Geelong)
- 2021 Finals Date: June 18 (Bendigo)
- Amount of Pink Diamond prize money: $783,740 annually.
- Split: 50% Owner; 50% Trainer.