AFL royalty Gary Ablett Jr will be the Ambassador for this year's Gippsland Festival of Racing across Sale, Warragul, and Traralgon.

Former Geelong Cats player and Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett Jr said that coming out to the country and getting to be a part of something like, this is great.

“I’m really excited to be attending the Gippsland Festival of Racing this year across the three days. I can’t wait to see everyone there,” Mr Ablett said.

The month of racing will start in Sale on December 26, the fun will then move onto Warragul on January 13 and will finish in Traralgon on January 26. Each club will be putting their own spin on the event.

According to Sale Greyhound Racing Club General Manager Peter Johnston, this year's cup is set to be the biggest in the club’s 85-year history.

“Melbourne Cup winner Yachi Bale will be going up against Jarick Bale, no dog has ever won the Sale Cup back-to-back, but Jarick will be going for it. This year is also about giving the community the opportunity to rub shoulders maybe even grab an autograph or selfie with one of the AFL greats,” Mr Johnston said.

The festival will then take on a more community-based tone at Warragul. The club will be running seven heats on January 6 where local community groups are able to own a dog for the evening and go into the draw to win up to $5,000.

According to Warragul General Manager, Tony Mitchell “Post Covid a lot of community groups are struggling for money, and this will give them a kick along.”

The Gippsland Festival of Racing will then conclude in Traralgon where families are encouraged to join the fun.

The Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club will provide free entry to the event, a waterslide for the kids, live music, and fireworks.

Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club General Manager Olivia Alcock said the Traralgon Cup is a great way to encourage the Gippsland community to come see what the club has to offer.

“It’s a great time of the year, the weather is fantastic. We have made this year super family friendly so it’s a great chance for parents to enjoy a day out with the kids,” Mrs Alcock said.

The Traralgon Greyhound Racing club will also be running heats where local community groups can go in the draw to win up to $11,000.

“The Gippsland Festival is all about showing the Gippsland community what greyhound racing is all about. We want to be able to help the community as much as we can, and we are so grateful that we can do this with the support of Gary Ablett Jr,” Mr Mitchell said.

Please contact Steve Carey for further details and comments.
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