GRNSW Announce Million Dollar Stakes Splurge

A cool one million dollars!

That's the substantial investment Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) will inject into prizemoney for racing 440 metres and beyond between now and June 30.

In a clear demonstration of the commercial arm's desire to increase stake money and support traditional 500 metre racing, an array of attractive racing opportunities will become available to participants in the coming weeks and months.

These events, largely heats and finals for predominantly maiden and fifth grade greyhounds at TAB tracks around NSW, will offer heightened prizemoney in what's another major stakes boon for participants in the state.

It was last August that GRNSW pumped over $500,000 into middle distance racing, a strategy which is beginning to pay dividends in nurturing racing over 600 metres.

That news was followed by an increase in stakes for Wednesday night metropolitan racing, the catalyst for a record $33 million in prizemoney being distributed to participants for the year.

And this most recent announcement will only further enliven NSW participants with GRNSW Chief Executive Officer Tony Mestrov thanking his board for their progressive thinking and desire to increase returns to stakeholders.

"This is further great news for our participants and the industry and I must thank the GRNSW Board for their progressive thinking and attitude in pushing through this increase," Mestrov said.

"As I mentioned late last year when we increased stakes for middle distance and midweek metropolitan racing, we made a concerted effort at the outbreak of COVID-19 to operate on a very tight budget and make savings where possible, and subsequently pass those savings on to our participants.  

"We have been able to continue to race throughout the pandemic, and as a result and with forward thinking, we are now able to pass on more of those savings to participants through this prizemoney increase."

Over the next 18 weeks, significant cash will be poured into provincial heats and finals for racing programmed 440 metres and beyond.

No less than eight events will be staged each week across the state.

Four maiden finals each week will carry a first prize of $3,000 while four fifth grade finals will boast stake money of $5,000 to the victor.

Furthermore, fifth grade series' will be programmed creatively to ensure even and competitive racing where greyhounds of varying ability are given a chance to share in the spoils.

On top of the regular weekly increases, GRNSW has also announced that a Country Challenge series will be staged in June where prizemoney to the tune of $130,000 will be shelled out.

The concept will see eight $10k series' run and won at Casino, Ladbrokes Gardens, Dubbo, Gunnedah, Nowra, Bathurst, Taree and Wagga Wagga, with all eight winners advancing to a final at Wentworth Park on June 26 worth $50,000.

Four additional 700 metre events have also been added to the calendar at Gosford, Lismore, Dapto and Bathurst with each carrying $10,000 in prizemoney.

"A strong focus of this latest prizemoney increase is supporting traditional 500m racing," Mestrov added.

"And it is anticipated that this strategic approach with heightened prizemoney will be a stepping stone towards encouraging and nurturing racing from 440m and beyond."