Queensland’s age-old rivalry with NSW is expected to intensify this year with the Straight Of Origin and Origin Greyhound Series set to be supercharged in 2023.
The Capalaba Greyhound Racing Club will once again host the Straight of Origin in an all-new, revamped format on Sunday, June 18.
The event has received a prize money boost from $24,000 to $63,500, with the winner of this year’s edition collecting $40,000, an increase from $15,600 in 2022.
Previously a heat and final event, Straight Of Origin will now be a one-off final, run between four greyhounds from Queensland and four from NSW.
Competitors will be selected by panels appointed by Racing Queensland and Greyhound Racing NSW.
Straight Of Origin will also be a preferential draw event this year, which will allow competing trainers to nominate for inside or outside draw, consistent with the greyhound’s racing traits in Straight conditions.
To be eligible for the race, a greyhound must have raced or trialled at Capalaba prior to the draw, and have complied with the respective qualifications around being domiciled in Queensland or NSW.
Capalaba’s Erin Cameron said she is confident the new Straight Of Origin format will be well received.
“The changes are really exciting and we should see a spectacular race that will draw national focus on Straight racing,” Ms Cameron said.
“Straight Of Origin now genuinely complements the Origin Greyhound Series and the club is really looking forward to promoting June 18 as key component of the overall WINTER Carnival.”
The Capalaba feature will follow a huge night of racing at the Origin Greyhound Series at Albion Park on Thursday, June 15, headlined by Group 3 events, the Origin Sprint and Origin Distance, and the Listed Origin Match Race.
As recently unveiled, the sprint and distance events have increased from $75,000 in 2022 to $150,000 this year, while the match race has jumped from $45,000 to $60,000.
First staged in 2018, the series sits at 2-all, with overall winning rights usually coming down to the final deciders.
Both squads will be announced on Friday, May 26 as the state versus state rivalry is resumed at Albion Park, while the final line-ups will be selected on Friday, June 9.
Good Odds Cash won the Origin Greyhound Series Sprint for NSW in 2022.
Once again, Origin greats Terry Hill (NSW) and Ben Hannant (Queensland) will resume their roles as coaches.
Racing Queensland EGM Operations Adam Wallish said the prize money increases and the Straight Of Origin changes will ensure that the ‘Origin concept’ adds a new dimension to the racing calendar.
“Origin Greyhounds is a proven winner which presents with enormous appeal every year,” Mr Wallish said.
“RQ is very proud of its efforts to promote and develop Straight track racing in Queensland and the revamping of the Straight Of Origin further underlines that commitment.”
Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club CEO Luke Gatehouse believes the 2023 encounter will be a cracking contest.
“The depth in the racing ranks in each state is very good, and the sparks will be flying in each round, that’s for sure,” Mr Gatehouse said.
