Introduction of Category 2 Stakemoney at Mt Gambie
Greyhound Racing SA (GRSA) is pleased to announce that the weekly Sunday race meeting at the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club will be elevated to Category 2 stakemoney from 1st July 2021. The value of that stakemoney increase will approach $300,000 annually in additional returns to local participants.
The Board and Management of GRSA have long held the view that the strongest model for greyhound racing in South Australia is one that is based on an equitable approach to supporting regional Clubs, and this change is motivated by that goal.
“The additional prizemoney will be a great boost for racing in the Mount Gambier Region which means we will hopefully see a further influx of Victorian trainers to our race meetings,” Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club President, Noel Perry, explained.
COVID-19 hit the Club particularly hard in 2020 with its supply of racing nominations severely reduced due to the Victorian border closure. That came on top of the impact that the Club had already suffered due a sever canine gastroenteritis outbreak in the first half of last year.
“We’re really pleased to see our regional Clubs thriving, and the performance of the Mount Gambier Club in recent times is a testament to the resilience of the Committee and the local trainers supported by the venue,” GRSA CEO, Matt Corby noted.
“We are also working toward introducing other positive changes for South Australian stakemoney strategy from the start of the next financial year which means that these are very exciting times.” Continued Mr Corby.
Since the introduction of greyhound racing being broadcast from Mount Gambier on Sky Racing just prior to 2012, the Club has quadrupled its annual racing schedule from 26 to 104 meetings annually.
Specific details regarding the grading implications of this change will be released to participants separately.