Emma Pritchard, Clarence Valley Independent
The Grafton Greyhound Racing Club will host several regional qualifying heats as part of the inaugural Thunderbolt series on June 4.
Set to become the world’s richest race over a short course distance, The Thunderbolt is a new feature event on the NSW Greyhound Racing (NSWGR) calendar following its unveiling earlier this year.
Worth more than $200000 in prizemoney, The Thunderbolt series includes a number of heats across several regional venues, culminating with a semi-final on June 11, and the final on June 19.
Both will be hosted by the Grafton Greyhound Racing Club.
GRNSW Chief Executive Officer Tony Mestrov said The Thunderbolt series caters to all participants and their greyhounds, ranging from short course sprinters to distance performers.
In a statement released in March, Mr Mestrov said he was incredibly proud that NSW is home to the world’s richest events across all racing distance ranges, with The Thunderbolt ticking that final box for the short-course sprinters.
“Four years ago, GRNSW established the world’s richest race, the Million Dollar Chase, and following on from the enormous success of that event, we have continued to look at new events that cater for participants, and also raise the profile of the industry,” he said.
“We have since established the world’s richest distance and middle-distance events, and now the world’s richest short-course race.”
President of the Grafton Greyhound Racing Club John Corrigan, has previously spoken to the Clarence Valley Independent of his excitement ahead of the Thunderbolt series, and the lucrative opportunity it presents to regional trainers and their beloved greyhounds.
The winners of the Thunderbolt heats on June 4 will qualify for the semi-final on June 11 for a chance to compete in The Thunderbolt final later this month. Make sure you pick up a copy of the Clarence Valley Independent next week for a full write up of the heats this weekend.
This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 1 June 2022.
