An event at Sandown on Friday billed as the world's greatest greyhound race - the Melbourne Cup - will be bigger and better than ever, backed by the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Racing Martin Pakula today announced the Government is allocating more than $20,000 from the Victorian Racing Industry Fund - Raceday Attraction Program to support the Sandown Greyhound Racing Club's efforts to make the Cup the best on record. The club is contributing more than $60,000 to support the event.
The meeting is the culmination of three weeks of elite greyhound racing that has produced a final field of eight dogs, with the winner on Friday taking home $500,000.
The Cup has been won by some of the sport's greatest dogs in its 65-year history, including El Grand Senor, Bombastic Shiraz and Dyna Double One.
This year's Melbourne Cup meeting will include eight feature finals on a 12-race card. Alongside the racing, there will be live music, free race books and giveaways.
The meeting will be held in COVIDSafe settings with everyone on course required to be double-vaccinated. Extra staff will be on hand to help patrons comply with COVIDSafe requirements.
Since December 2014 the Labor Government has approved almost $2 million to support 35 racing events and four infrastructure project at Sandown.
The greyhound racing industry in Victoria generates $500 million for the economy and helps sustain 4,300 full-time-equivalent jobs.
As stated by Minister for Racing Martin Pakula
"Sandown's Melbourne Cup meeting is always a great night of racing and I'm sure greyhound fans will enthusiastically welcome the opportunity to be back on track."
"We're proud to help clubs like Sandown put on these showcase events."
As stated by Sandown Greyhound Racing Club CEO Adrian Scott
"We're very grateful for the Government's support this year, and we can't wait to welcome back a good crowd at Sandown for what promises to be an outstanding edition of the Cup."
