The Phoenix. Now Australia’s premier greyhound racing event.

It’s taken just four years, but The Phoenix, staged here at ‘The Meadows’ in December and worth $1 million-to-the-winner, is now greyhounds racing’s premier event.

Launched to much hype – and controversy – in 2021, The Phoenix is greyhound racing’s second foray into the slot racing concept, following one from the Launching Pad at Sandown Park and promised to be a game-changer for the sport in Victoria.

And, unquestionably, it has delivered.

With so much money at stake – it was the first, and now only, race in Victoria to carry $1m in prize money – the field was guaranteed to bring together the best greyhounds in the country. Run three weeks after the Melbourne Cup, slot holders can assess the form of the contenders and importantly, trainers have ample time to have their charge ready. And in many ways, that three week gap is one of the keys to the race’s success. While the Topgun had been run post-Melbourne Cup in the past, it always felt as though the race was an afterthought, a largely unnecessary add-on to a Superdogs carnival that had already peaked.

Now, however, every race, every series, every run is important in the lead up to the world’s richest greyhound race and the Dreamchasers Festival grand finale. The discussion around which greyhounds will take their place in the field dominates discussion leading into the spring. Much like The Everest, every slashing run puts forward a greyhound’s credentials for a berth in the race, with slot holders negotiating with connections to give them the best chance of a return on their investment.

That chatter is vital to the success of any racing event. The stories of the slot holders, the greyhounds and their connections build familiarity with the sport and its participants. It provides a hook, a reason to tune into the race, and to get behind a greyhound and their connections.

And hasn’t The Phoenix delivered some amazing storylines.

The aptly named Wow She’s Fast winning the inaugural running, defeating a stellar field at career start number seven before returning to win the race again 12 months later and becoming the sport’s highest prize money earner in the process. Schillaci, trained by a pizza shop owner with just one dog in work, claiming the million dollar first prize and changing the life of Jihad Talgi and his family forever.

Australia’s premier trainer, Jason Thompson, purchasing his own slot with one greyhound in mind. Plotting a successful run through the spring features and retiring to stud with a fairytale ending on track – the Melbourne Cup into The Phoenix.

Importantly and to their credit, The Meadows hasn’t relied upon the large prize money at stake to carry the event.

Large – and highly engaged – crowds have been a hallmark of the race since its inception driven by gimmicks or giveaways, but by a race that changes the lives of those involved. That engagement and fun is driven largely by the slot holders who have invested their own in support of the race and by extension, the sport of greyhound racing.  So good is the experience of trainers and connections that, if the rumour mill is to be believed, a number have been happy to take ‘unders’ from slot holders just to be part of The Phoenix experience.

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The Phoenix isn’t the best race in the country. The Melbourne Cup and its unparalleled honour roll retains that title. The importance of the Million Dollar Chase for the sport in New South Wales can never be understated. But as a racing event that genuinely grows interest in the sport beyond the greyhound racing bubble, The Phoenix is unmatched.

And the sport should be thankful for it.

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