Greyhound racing at Sandown Park will receive a major funding boost, thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government, Greyhound Racing Victoria and the Sandown Greyhound Racing Club.
Premier Daniel Andrews today joined keen racing fans at the world’s most prestigious greyhound race – the Melbourne Cup – to announce $75,000 worth of funding to improve infrastructure and support trackside entertainment at Sandown Park.
The funding will help install new car park shade sails to provide shelter and heat protection for greyhounds and participants during the hot summer months. The sails form part of Greyhound Racing Victoria’s ‘Beat the Heat’ initiative, with similar sails also being installed at The Meadows.
The funding announcement was made as part of the Melbourne Cup Carnival race meeting at Sandown Park today.
The Melbourne Cup is the world’s richest and most prestigious greyhound race, with $600,000 up for grabs in prizemoney. More than 4,000 people are expected at Sandown Park to watch the night’s racing.
As part of the trackside entertainment, patrons will be treated to an Asian Festival featuring food stalls and multicultural performances, while children will be entertained with rides, face painting and other entertainment.
The funding boost for greyhound racing in Sandown also includes an additional $162,000 from Sandown Greyhound Racing Club, while Greyhound Racing Victoria is contributing $72,000 towards the race meeting and shade sails.
Since 2014, the Labor Government has contributed almost $620,000 to support 19 initiatives at Sandown including the shade sails and race day attractions.
The racing industry in metropolitan Melbourne generates more than $1.5 billion annually for the Victorian economy and helps sustain more than 13,590 full-time equivalent jobs locally.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“The Melbourne Cup Carnival is the most prestigious event on the greyhound racing calendar and showcases some of the fastest greyhounds in the world right here on our doorstop in Springvale.”
“We’re proud to support the greyhound racing industry because it helps to create local jobs and delivers significant economic benefits to our state.”
Quotes attributable to Sandown Greyhound Racing Club Chief Executive Officer Greg Miller
“We really appreciate the Victorian Government’s support for the Melbourne Cup Carnival and our new car park shade sails that demonstrate our commitment to animal welfare.”
“We encourage everyone in the community to get down to Sandown for a great night of multicultural entertainment alongside the world’s most iconic greyhound race.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020