Caption: Ipswich 2022 Greyhound Of The Year Ringbark Road is a 288m track specialist (Photo: Just Greyhound Photos)

By PAT McLEOD

The rich Vince Curry Memorial Maiden may be the headline act at the Ipswich club in February, but at grassroots level there is a far less lucrative race that is almost as popular.

On February 18 the club will host the annual Dash For Cash Final (288m), with total prizemoney at just $7700.

Club stalwarts, secretary Di O’Donnell and her son Rick, who is not only the club’s long-time photographer, but also the treasurer, have no doubts about this race’s popularity.

“The 288m holds a special place at this club,” says Di. “I believe it is the shortest greyhound race across the six clubs in Queensland and is very popular at this club. We always have a ton of nominations on a weekly basis. In fact, our current Monday program is dedicated solely to this distance.

“A few years ago several of the committee members pushed for a special annual race to celebrate the popularity of this distance at Ipswich and the Dash For Cash was born.

“Its wide appeal is for a number of reasons. It’s attractive for young dogs getting used to track racing. Many trainers use the distance as part of the return of injured chasers and it is also very handy for older dogs who still love to race, but are not as competitive any more over the longer distances.

“I would love to see this final be given even more status and prizemoney … I know there would be plenty of trainers that would love that as well.

“There is something special about a short race with blistering speed. I know there are some summer carnival races over short distances, such as the Blitz and Bolt, which have been very successful. But we have the shortest race – just 288m!”

Di and Rick were quick to remind all that Ipswich’s Greyhound of the Year for 2022, Ringbark Road (Pauline Byers) is a 288m specialist, who won the Dash For Cash last year.

The Ipswich club will also celebrate another successful annual race meeting during February – the Corporate Dollars (520m) also on February 18.

This race night has been around for ‘many years’ said Di and was instigated as not only a fund-raiser for the club, but primarily as a way to bring the club closer to the Ipswich community.

Eight local businesses ‘buy in’ for the night and are allocated one of the runners in the Corporate Dollars Final. Whichever business is associated with the winner gets signage on the club’s winning post for the next 12 months.

This event has also proven to be a winner, so much so that a second event over the 431m distance is held later in the year with that ‘winning’ business receiving track signage.

“Both are great, social nights,” says Di. “The businesses get a package that includes a table and food and drinks. It has resulted in some very good relationships being formed between the club and the local community.”