General
About Us
Sandown is approximately 35 minutes South East of Melbourne off Lightwood Road
Springvale.
Click here
to view a map of Sandown's location.
Patrons can enjoy air-conditioned comfort in the modern facilities of the Henry
Harrison grandstand and ample car parking is provided. All facilities are undercover.
Bookmakers operate on local greyhound meetings and full TAB totalisator facilities are
available. Video and DVD replays are shown at the track and can be purchased from the office.
Camping and kennelling facilities are not available at the track for traveling trainers.
Motel accommodation with kennel facilities is available approximately 20 minutes from track.
The Club offers an extensive buffet menu with discounts for competing trainers and a
take-away kiosk and bar facilities ensure that all patron requirements are provided for.
Racing
Race meetings are typically held every Thursday night, and alternate Wednesday
afternoons.
Admission is $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for pensioners. Children under
16 are admitted free of charge. There is no admission fee for day meetings.
Patrons who book the dining facility in advance receive free admission.
Nominations
Thursday night meetings
Nominations close at GRV on Monday at 9:00am prior to the meeting.
Wednesday afternoon meetings (alternate weeks)
Nominations close at GRV on Friday at 9.00am prior to the meeting.
(or earlier subject to Public Holidays - refer to latest Adviser or contact
Greyhound Racing Victoria).
Nominations may be submitted to GRV either on-line (
www.grv.org.au
) or by phone on (03) 8329 1111 or 1800 138 507.
Kennelling Information
(Enter via View Rd)
11 race program (Thursday night meetings):
Kennels typically open 80 minutes prior to race 1, and close 40 minutes prior to race 1.
Therefore, for a scheduled Race 1 starting time of7:05pm, kennelling times for a Thursday night are
5:45pm-6:25pm.
Kennel tickets are on sale 15 minutes prior to kennelling.
All other meetings
:
Kennels typically open 80 minutes prior to race 1, and close 40 minutes prior to race 1.
Therefore, for a scheduled Race 1 starting time of 4:05pm, kennelling times are 2:35-3:15pm
Race times can be accesses via the Herald Sun, the
GRV website
or through the SGRC office (03 9546 9511).
The spacious kennel block at Sandown is fully air-conditioned with excellent sound proofing
qualities. All the kennels are on ground level, making the lifting of greyhounds unnecessary.
Security is at a premium with total video surveillance in place. Large wash bays, well
grassed empty yards and a raised stir-up yard complete this first class
facility.
Track Information
The track has a loam surface and a cable lure system is installed.
Straights and Distances
Predominantly racing over distances of 515m and 715m.
Track circumference: 443m
Distance from boxes to post: 72m
Radius of turns: 51m
Track width:
7 metres (straights)
8 metres (turns)
Splits
515m: 72m, 334m
715m: 90m, 272m, 553m
Track Records
515m Bond 29.38 sec
715m Total Denial 41.80 sec
958m Classic Rush 58.56 sec
Club History
The Sandown Park Coursing Club (with the late Jack McKenna as Secretary) began
racing on the present Sandown Racecourse in 1935 and continued there until 1952 with only a two
year break during the war. Speed coursing (live hare) was then conducted at the present site until
December 1955. The Sandown Greyhound Racing Club commenced ‘mechanical hare’ racing on the current
site onSaturday 8 September 1956 before a crowd of 6,000 and overseeing a betting ring of 53
bookmakers. The combined stake money on offer for that first meeting was $600. To put that fact in
perspective, the field for a modern Melbourne Cup final would typically boast collective earnings
in excess of $1 million.
The original track incorporated a grass surface, but heavy usage contributed to maintenance
difficulties, resulting in the decision to change over to a sand track in 1964. The introduction of
‘mechanical hare’ racing (more popularly known as the “tin hare”) at Sandown coincided with the
most significant change to night entertainment in that era, the advent of television. The impact of
television undoubtedly slowed the early growth of the sport, however greyhound racing received an
enormous boost when TAB betting was introduced in 1966.
The introduction of computerised Tote equipment in 1974 facilitated the launch of Trifecta
betting which proved an instant hit with punters and to this day accounts for approximately one
half of all on-course turnover.
Plans to build a new grandstand were conceived in 1982 and realised in 1986 with the
construction of the Henry Harrison grandstand, a predominantly glass structure, the design of which
substantially influenced the architecture of the current Caulfield Racecourse grandstand.
Sandown Refurbishment
The “new” Sandown was opened on 29 February 1996 by the Hon Minister for Sport, Recreation
and Racing, Mr Tom Reynolds. As a result of the refurbishment Sandown was then able to boast the
following:
-
$1 million kennel complex
-
$1 million track
-
$2 million Tabaret
-
$6 million Henry Harrison grandstand
-
$200,000 upgraded veterinary facility
The track and grandstand are both considered to be of world class. A new phase of
renovations is scheduled for commencement in 2008 as Sandown strives to maintain its reputation as
having the best facility of its kind in the world.
Sandown Snippets
-
Greyhound racing (or coursing as it was then known) commenced on the site of the
current Sandown horse-racing track in September 1935
-
Gracedale Park Coursing Club raced from April 1938 to December 1955 on the site
currently occupied by the City Hall
-
Racing commenced at the currentLightwood Road site in September 1952
-
SGRC was the first club to install photo finish technology
-
Sandown is the home of the Schweppes Melbourne Cup, the richest and most prestigious
greyhound race in the country
-
The (current) Henry Harrison grandstand was completed on Sunday 6 July 1986
Directors
Mr Geoff
Dawson (Chaiman)
Mr Mick
Gibilisco
Mr David
Gleeson
Mr Bob
McCurdy
Mr Neil
Brown
Mr Peter
Rowell
Staff
Matthew Corby
Chief
Executive
mcorby@sandowngreyhounds.com.au
Michael Floyd
Racing and
Media Manager
mfloyd@sandowngreyhounds.com.au
Melanie Savage
Business Development Manager
msavage@sandowngreyhounds.com.au
Paul
Munt
Paul Munt
Sports Photography
Course
Photographer (midweek, Thursday nights)
0407 582 701
munt@ozemail.com.au
www.paulmunt.com
Sandown Vet Clinic
Dr Alastair Smith and
Associates
LIGHTWOOD ROA
D
, SPRINGVALE 3171
TEL: 9547-6666
FAX: 9548-4247
Operating Hours
:
Mon-Thurs: 9.00am to 7.00pm
Fri: 9.00am to 6.00pm
Sat:
9.00am to 1.00pm
The Sandown Veterinary Clinic is at the forefront of canine muscular and skeletal therapy.
The veterinary team at Sandown is dedicated to providing owners and their animals with the best
standard of veterinary care and advice possible. The Clinic offers services in the areas of
musculoskeletal examination and treatment (medical and surgical) for performance animals, routine
health care, critical care, surgery and reproductive technologies.
Sandown Veterinary Clinic is licensed under the Frozen Semen Program to collect and store
semen. International exports and imports under this program are regularly undertaken and is also
accredited under Aqis Live Animal export to handle the movement of greyhounds and other small
animals internationally.
The Greyhound Adoption Program was established at the Sandown Veterinary Clinic by the
nursing staff. Sandown Veterinary Clinic remains a major sponsor of the program, donating
veterinary services and catering for the health care needs of the growing population of adopted
greyhounds.
The Clinic also undertakes industry studies on behalf of the Greyhound Racing Control Board
and with the assistance of Racing Analytical Services to provide greyhound trainers and
veterinarians with guidance on the correct pre-race withholding periods for certain medications
commonly used within the industry.
Sandown Veterinary Clinic provides veterinary services to both Sandown Greyhound Racing Club
and Cranbourne Greyhound Racing club for the purpose of race supervision. The clinic also services
regional areas including Warrnambool and Gippsland via our mobile veterinary clinic.
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Membership
Membership application brochures are available from the office at Sandown.
Standard Membership Benefit - Annual Member Fee of $30* + GST
-
Members Dinner (Members' Night)
-
Member Rates on dining packages ($30)
-
Voting Rights.
Among the highlights of the year is the annual Members Dinner held on the last
Thursday night in June. On that occasion, members can enjoy the hospitality of the Club while
cheering on the stars in the Group 1 Laurels Classic and the Group 2 McKenna Memorial.
Members can also purchase an annual season pass for admission into the course at a
cost of $160 (plus GST).
* A $50 joining fee (plus GST) will still apply to any new membership application
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Sponsorship
Sponsor Benefits
Sandown can tailor a package to meet your specific sponsorship requirements.
Greyhound racing turnover now accounts for over 15% of all Victorian TAB turnover, and
Sandown's Thursday night meetings are beamed to an average 40,000 viewers via SKY Channel.
Whether your company's requirement is hospitality-based or aimed at promoting brand
awareness, we will design a cost-effective solution to suit your needs.
For more information, contact
Mel Savage on
03 9546 9511 or email
msavage@sandowngreyhounds.com.au
.
Sandown GRC Sponsors
SCHWEPPES
RADIO SPORT 927
SKY CHANNEL
RAPIDVITE INDUSTRIES AUSTRALASIA
JASOL AUSTRALIA
DANDENONG DRY CLEANERS
CITY OF GREATER DANDENONG
FAIRFAX COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
HAWKINS MEDIA SOLUTIONS
ADVANCE
KINGSTONTROPHIES
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Sponsors
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