After accepting the disappointment that the 2021 Bendigo Cup Carnival will once again be held behind closed doors, the Bendigo Greyhound Racing Association is excited by news that the Cup series will take centre stage in the Saturday night metropolitan time slot in place of The Meadows due to the Victorian metro curfew currently in place.
As a result of a host of scheduling changes GRV have had to make during October, the Chasers Function Centre Bendigo Cup series will be conducted on two consecutive Saturday nights, October 9 and 16.
BENDIGO CUP CARNIVAL – key dates
Wednesday 6 October (Night): This has moves to the night timeslot and will feature heats of the Battler’s Cup.
Saturday 9 October (Night): Featuring heats of the Chasers Function Centre Bendigo Cup and Mannings Greyhound Complex Grade 5 Vic Bred Series
Sunday 10 October (Twilight): Featuring heats of the Hip Pocket Bendigo Spring Cup and Vic Bred Maiden Series (originally schedule for Friday 8 October)
Wednesday 13 October (Night): Meeting moved to an evening timeslot.
Saturday 16 October (Night): Featuring finals of the Bendigo Cup, Spring Cup, Battler’s Cup, Grade 5 Series and Vic Bred Maiden Series, as well as the Cup Night Match Race and heats of a Mixed 6/7 series.
The Club is planning to capitalise on the schedule change and showcase the carnival.
“Obviously it is not ideal not having crowds for yet another feature event but the schedule change is a positive for us and we intend to make the most of it with extensive coverage through our social media channels and The Watchdog app, along the lines of what was done for Pink Diamond night,” said Bendigo GRA Manager, Troy Harley.
“October 9 will be a big night for the Lord’s Raceway venue with our Cup heats being run alongside the big Victoria Cup card at the Bendigo Harness.”
“It’s testament to the regard the two clubs and our respective venues are held in to be able to showcase the best chasers and pacers in training on the same night.”
More than $300,000 in stakes will be on offer across the five greyhound meetings which make up the Bendigo Cup Carnival.
BENDIGO CUP CARNIVAL – Feature races
BATTLER’S CUP (425m)
First prize: $5,000
Heats: Wednesday 6 October
Final & consolation: Saturday 16 October
Eligibility: Tier 3 + other conditions
GROUP 2 CHASERS FUNCTION CENTRE BENDIGO CUP (425m)
First prize: $50,000
Heats: Saturday 9 October
Final: Saturday 16 October
MANNINGS GREYHOUND COMPLEX VIC BRED GRADE 5 SERIES (500m)
First prize: $3,850
Heats: Saturday 9 October
Final: Saturday 16 October
GRV VIC BRED MAIDEN SERIES (500m)
First prize: $8,400
Heats: Sunday 10 October
Final: Saturday 16 October
HIP POCKET BENDIGO SPRING CUP (660m)
First prize: $10,000
Heats: Sunday 10 October
Final: Saturday 16 October
Eligibility: Grades 4/5 – No city wins 601m+
CUP NIGHT MATCH RACE (425m)
First prize: $10,000
When: Saturday 16 October
WATCH: YOZO BALE (4) beats a star-studded field in the 2020 Bendigo Cup including TIGGERLONG TONK (6), SHIMA SHINE (5) and HARD STYLE RICO (2). Results
