Tuesday, April 28, 2020
The Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club’s 2020 Mount Gambier Cup, first postponed then cancelled in response to COVID-19 restrictions, will now be conducted this year.
This follows an announcement this week by Greyhound Racing SA (GRSA) which, following a review of its budgets, confirmed that the Mount Gambier Cup would continue its unbroken run of 40 years.
“We have re-considered our initial stance on the running of this year’s cup,” said GRSA Racing Manager Shaun Mathieson. “In reviewing our budgets and feature races, and making some changes, we believe we can support the running of the cup.”
Mathieson said the event would be scheduled when borders were re-opened by government and the GRSA board approved nominations from interstate as well as approving intrastate travel locally.
“Look, we would prefer the cup to be run prior to June 30 this year, however some of these restrictions may still be in place.
“That being the case we are still supportive of the event being run before the end of the calendar year with an expectation of this occurring sooner rather than later.”
For the Bourne Kennels Mount Gambier Cup to be run this year means it will have to be conducted at reduced stakes for both the 512 metre heats and final – the winner to receive $10,000 – still the second-highest amount ever paid to a cup winner.
“This prizemoney falls into line with other reductions to feature events across the state during this time,” the racing manager said.
MGGRC president, Noel Perry, thanked GRSA for its effort in helping to maintain the continuity of the Mount Gambier Cup, an event steeped in history after first being run over 479 metres at Glenburnie in 1981 when won by Tara Topar.
“This week’s announcement was terrific news and certainly gives us hope for the future,” he said. “I know times have been tough for everyone but from a local greyhound racing point of view this news is sure to lift participants’ spirits.”
Meanwhile, temporary reductions to Category 3 stakemoney (Mount Gambier), implemented by GRSA in response to COVID-19, are as follows:
Maiden: 400 m (old total $865, new total $735); 512 m ($995, $840). Grade 6: 400 m ($905, $770); 512 m ($1035, $880). Grade 5: 400 m ($945, $805); 512 m ($1085, $920). Grade 4: 400 m ($990, $840); 512 m ($1140, $970). Open: 400 m ($1135, $965); 512 m ($1300, $1105).