Greyhound racing enthusiasts are in for a treat at Sandown Park, where the action unfolds throughout the year with nine standout events you won’t want to overlook. Commencing in March with the exhilarating Launching Pad semi-finals, the racing calendar keeps aficionados engaged until November’s grand finale, the Sportsbet Melbourne Cup, where the spinning wheel offers a staggering chance to claim a $1 million prize.
Undoubtedly the most prestigious race of the year with owners and trainers aspiring to compete for the Holy Grail of greyhound racing – the Sportsbet Melbourne Cup. Run over 515m, the track record is held by Aston Rupee who ran 28.79 seconds in 2021.
The Melbourne Cup of greyhound racing has its origins back in the early 30s in the non-proprietary days of greyhound racing, but the race was reinvented when the government licensed the sport in the middle 50s.
Sandown Greyhound Racing Club conducted its first Melbourne Cup in 1956 when the race was won by Rocketeer.
Since that time the Club has built the momentum of the race’s importance, forging its place at the top, making it the pinnacle not only in this country but recognised worldwide.
The history, the tradition, the elation, the pride, the achievement, and the celebration of being connected to the best canine athlete on the planet – that’s winning the Sportsbet Melbourne Cup!
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Explicit has won the 2024 Group 1 Melbourne Cup!
Arguably the best dog in the land and he’s been able to cement his standing by claiming the Melbourne Cup! Congratulations to the Thompson family on their historic victory!
The 2025 Launching Pad Final Winner – Dashing Slay
A flawless campaign was capped off with a 15-length romp as Dashing Slay saluted as favourite in the final of the win-restricted Group 3 Launching Pad over 515m.
A mind boggling 28.95s run in her semi-final put her rivals on notice, and the South Australian made no mistake in the $150,000 to the winner final, assuming control down the back straight and sailing away to stop the clock at 29.08s.
The sport’s next star is trained by Gavin Harris and owned by Team Harris in South Australia, but there will be a temptation to see her remain in Victoria with Kayla Cottrell and attempt more feature race success at tracks like Sandown Park.
Sportsbet Sandown Cup has steadfastly gained a reputation for the world’s premier greyhound distance race (715m). This year’s winner Irish Millie trained by Steve Whyte, was a hugely popular winner, narrowly beating Canya Amy to deliver her first ever group 1 victory.
First run in 1964, the Woolamai Cup (as it was known then) was won by Briar View. The Sandown Cup attracts a huge crowd as trainers and owners compete for the Club’s namesake trophy.
This year’s winner (2024) Irish Millie, trained by Steve Whyte.
2024 Shootout – Jacquie Greenough with the first ever 2nd time Shootout winner – Big Energy
He’s pretty special this fella…
Big Energy at nearly four years of age won the 2024 Group 3 Shootout – the only greyhound in the history of the race to win it twice! Breaking 29 seconds for the FIFTH time in his career!
Greenough Greyhound Kennels did an amazing job again!
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