By Bridget Scott
As the Gippsland Carnival enters its third stage, a couple of big names are standing out as potential winners of the inaugural carnival spoils.
Lara trained Chrichton Bale and top sprinter Aston Bolero are both on top of their respective leader boards.
Chrichton Bale leads the Stayers Series and Aston Bolero is headlining the Sprinters.
Cranbourne Greyhound Racing Club (CGRC) will host the third leg of the Gippsland Carnival with a twilight meeting to be held on Saturday 11 February.
The Gippsland Carnival is a new concept for Greyhound Racing Victoria which incorporates the Sale, Warragul, Cranbourne and Traralgon greyhound racing clubs.
The carnival will link all four clubs’ country cups together culminating with a final at Traralgon on 25 March, where a Gippsland Champion Sprinter and a Gippsland Champion Stayer will be crowned.
The carnival was launched in Seaspray at the end of last year with Western Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy announced as ambassador.
CGRC Manager Amanda Cameron said she is excited for her club to help continue the momentum that has taken Gippsland by storm over the last two months.
“We’re excited to host the third leg of the Gippsland Carnival here at CGRC with plenty on offer both on and off the track,” Ms Cameron said.
“A strong field of dogs will contend for the Backmans Greyhound Supplies Group 2 $67,000 Cranbourne Cup as we get closer to finding out who will be crowned the Gippsland Champion Sprinter and Gippsland Champion Stayer.
“I would encourage all members of the family to get along to the Cranbourne Cup as there is something here for people of all ages, including plenty of entertainment for the kids.”
The Colours on Course competition is also back again with winners at each track taking home a $300 club voucher.
TAB presenter Jaimee Rogers will host the trackside event at the Cranbourne Cup and said she was excited to be part of this new concept.
“I love getting behind new initiatives that drive people to the track,” Rogers said.
“It’s in a fun and relaxed environment that everyone can get behind, and with fashion so synonymous with racing, it’s good to see this extended to greyhound racing.”
TAB’s Elly Wicks, as well as Riley Pearce from Riley Pearce Designs and Olivia Alcock from Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club will judge and have urged people who intend to apply to dress to the eight colours and patterns of the greyhounds.
Turbo’s Trackside Corner is also expected to be a hit once again and will include a 10-metre screen greyhound game that has captured the attention of all the kids so far.
There will also be an inflatable slide, jumping castle, outdoor games plus more.
The carnival’s entertainment doesn’t stop there, with live bands and food trucks to taste the colours of the world.
Families can also go in the draw to win a trip to Disneyland, by getting their ‘passport’ stamped at two of the four cups.
For VIP or family packages and more information go to gippslandcarnival.com.au.
