Ian Botham launches carnival
One of the most recognisable sportsmen in the world was on hand to launch the third iteration of Greyhound Racing Victoria’s Gippsland Carnival in Warragul on Thursday night.
Former England cricket captain Sir Ian Botham joined AFL games record holder and Victorian greyhound racing ambassador Brent Harvey as guest at the launch, along with comedian Marty Fields and expert tipster James Van de Maat.
In a wide-ranging interview with Fields, Botham spoke on several topics including cricket, his epic walks as part of his charity Beefy’s Charity Foundation, his wine label and past involvement in the racing industry before the evening concluded with a spectacular fireworks display.
GRV chairman Bernie Carolan said it was a wonderful feeling to have passionate supporters of greyhound racing attend the launch.
“To have people of the calibre of Sir Ian Botham and Brent Harvey supporting our sport really shows the direction we are heading and I’m looking forward to a fantastic Gippsland Carnival,” he said.
The Gippsland Carnival is Australia’s biggest regional racing series and consists of four country cups in Sale, Warragul, Traralgon and Cranbourne.
The action will kick off in Sale on Boxing Day with the $75,000 Sale Cup. It will be followed by the Warragul Cup on January 12, the Traralgon Cup on Australia Day (January 26) and finish with the Cranbourne Cup on February 9.
The Sale Cup could include one of the best racing greyhounds in the country with superstar stayer Rippin’ Sam on target to return from injury.
The series spans seven weeks and aims to increase competition and interest in the sport of greyhound racing in the Gippsland area.
GRV chief executive Alan Clayton said the Gippsland Carnival had quickly become a staple of Australian greyhound racing.
“Gippsland has long been a traditionally strong greyhound racing area and this carnival has seen the sport go to a new level in Victoria’s east,” he said.
“In just three short years the Gippsland Carnival has grown to be a prominent event on the Gippsland sporting calendar and we are thrilled to have it back once again.”
Last year’s winner, Monster Fish, took home $14,000 in prizemoney by earning 66 points in six races throughout the Gippsland Carnival.
Star Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn will be special guest at the Sale Cup, while former Collingwood champion and 2011 Brownlow medallist Dane Swan will be guest at sprint events at Warragul, Traralgon and Cranbourne, which each carry a lucrative purse of $47,000.