Greyhound Racing NSW has confirmed that it will run the Million Dollar Chase in 2020, with Goulburn set to host a preliminary leg for the second time.
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With more than $1.5 million up for grabs in the grand final on October 16, the Million Dollar Chase is the richest greyhound racing event in the world.
15 regional venues will host heats and regional finals, and 2020 marks the second consecutive year that Goulburn has hosted a segment of the series.
Goulburn will conduct its heats on September 4, and will hold a regional final on September 11, from which the first, second, and third-placed dogs will run in the semi-final at Wentworth.
GGRC manager, Patrick Day, expressed his delight that Goulburn had been given another opportunity to host portions of the Million Dollar Race, and said the event as a whole will go a long way towards rejuvenating the sport after the COVID-19 lockdown.
"The Goulburn Club is once again excited to be hosting regional heats and final of the Million Dollar Chase this year," Day said.
"The club, like most industries, has been impacted during COVID-19 and we have been thankfully been able to continue racing during such difficult times, so staging the Million Dollar Chase is going to be important to the industry in these trying times.
"One trainer will walk away as an instant millionaire on that Friday night in October."
Local greyhound fans will be able to watch some of the best talent in the state race at the Goulburn track, Day said.
"The great element of this series is that it gives all trainers an opportunity to race for increased prize money, with 15 regional heats and finals being run around NSW," he said.
"The club will be expecting some of the most talented and gifted greyhounds contesting the Goulburn Series in September and should make one exceptional regional final on September 11."
When the coronavirus hit Australia, all sporting bodies across the country announced immediate closures of grounds and cancellations of play. The impact was so widespread, it was unclear if and when hosting large-scale events would again become possible.
GRNSW chief executive officer, Tony Mestrov, was relieved that a full series was scheduled, with state government health guidelines still in place.
"Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there had been some concerns whether the event would take place at all, or perhaps be held with limited venues and reduced prizemoney," Mestrov said.
"While our industry and GRNSW's revenue streams have naturally been impacted during COVID-19, we have thankfully been able to continue racing during this time, and we felt being able to stage the Million Dollar Chase was incredibly important to us as an industry, and for all our participants who I have been so proud of during the past four months.
"We had a few alternatives for the series, but after consultation with our board, and closely looking at our finances, we were delighted that it would be possible to stage a full series, and see the grand final winner join the connections of Mystic Riot (2018) and Good Odds Harada (2019)."
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