Group 3 Nth Districts Cup (450m)

Shepparton.

Best 64 Victorian bred. Special conditions.

Heats October 26. Final October 31.

Winner to receive $25,000.

By David Brasch

SHEPPARTON club makes no apology to owners and trainers for the restrictions that apply to the up-coming Group 3 Northern Districts Cup series to be run late in October.

The race has proved a huge success and tossed up some future racetrack stars. Those restrictions have made it all worthwhile.

The Northern Districts Cup is for the best 64 Victorian-bred greyhounds nominated.

But, they must have raced at least twice at the Shepparton track, have no city wins at the time and their prizemoney must total less than $25,000.

Sound tough?

Not really, according to Shepparton Club secretary manager Carl McGrath.

\”It is a series that cuts out city track stars, gives our locals a good chance of winning a Group race with a young dog, and attracts good youngsters to the track in the lead-up to the series,\” he said.

\”What it does is makes trainers undertake a bit of pre-planning for the series.\”

The Northern Districts Cup (450m) has been running since 2014 when won by Dewanna Result.

Winners since then have been Soda Lad, Bear\’s Gold, Sure To Excite and Crook Me Kindly (it was run twice in 2017), Circus One and Swift Current.

Local trainer Mick Carter ran the quinella in 2019 when Swift Current downed littermate Extra Speed.

Cup final night is also the club\’s opportunity to honour many of the districts greyhound racing greats.

This year it will be Doug Ferremi, a Shepparton local who is best remembered as breeder and owner-trainer of legend Highly Blessed.

Doug died recently and will be remembered by the club for his many years in the industry.

McGrath reports Shepparton Club has been ‘firing’ even during the problems inflicted upon the racing industry during the Covid-19 period.

\”We are lucky here because we have a couple of businesses that bring in a great turnover,\” said Carl.

\”One is the greyhound shop that turns over $350,000 a year.

\”But the other is the vet clinic that has been running for the past five years. Sue Collins runs the clinic twice a week, every Tuesday and Wednesday and she is such a well respected vet that the place is booming.

\”Sue sold her practice in Bendigo six months ago and has come on board for us here.

\”We even get trainers coming from Geelong to get her to look at dogs.\”

CAPTION: Local Shepparton trainer Mick Carter on the presentation dais with 2019 Group 3 Northern Districts Cup winner Swift Current and loyal club sponsor Rob Jones (Shepparton Workwear and Safety). (Photo: Michelle Groom)