A million dollars awaits any greyhound that can claim the new Sandown ‘Triple Crown’ – the Shootout, Melbourne Cup and one of the Harrison-Dawson or Sapphire Crown.
Announcing the initiative at the club’s annual media night, Sandown Greyhound Club Chairman Geoff Dawson was excited at the prospect of a greyhound claiming $1million in prize money on offer.
“Prize money has increased significantly in recent years, but we are still to see a greyhound reach the million dollar mark.
“These races are among the most sought after on the Australian greyhound racing calendar and the prospect of a greyhound winning all three and picking up a million dollars is a fantastic incentive for owners and trainers throughout the country.”
The Triple Crown will kickoff with the Shootout, the four dog speed championship of Australia carrying a $50,000 winner-takes-all first prize.
The world’s richest race, the Melbourne Cup, is the second leg of the Triple Crown and carries a $350,000 first prize.
The final leg is dependant on the sex of the greyhound. Males will target the Harrison-Dawson while females will head toward the Sapphire Crown. Both events are the richest races of their kind, and both carry a $100,000 winner’s cheque.
On top of the $500,000 in first place prize money, the Sandown Greyhound Racing Club is offering a $500,000 bonus, as well as a trophy.
The bonus will be on offer for any greyhound that can win the above races consecutively, beginning with the Shootout.
The introduction of a Triple Crown is one of three announcement made by the club, including
– increasing the prize money for the 2014 RSN Sandown Cup to $250,000, and
– a trip for two to Paris to be won as part of the Judy Hayley Memorial Lady Trainers series
For further information regarding any of tonight’s announcements, contact the Club on (03) 9546 9511, or email Michael Floyd, Racing and Media Manager.
