Vince Curry Memorial series about much more than prize money

By Jordan Gerrans

The annual Vince Curry Memorial series can boast the title of being Australia's richest maiden race for greyhounds.

But, for those entrenched in the dog industry in the Sunshine State, they believe the popular series at Ipswich means much more than just the rich prize money on offer.

The legendary name of the late broadcaster Vince Curry will be up in lights again over the next three weeks with the series kicking-off for 2023 on Saturday night with eight heats set to be run.

The Vince Curry Memorial series will enjoy an increase in stakes this year, up from $50,000 to the winner last year, with $75,000 to the champion this time around.

Leading racing administrators use the words “prestige” and “tradition” when they refer to the series.

Ipswich Greyhound Racing Club President Rob Essex detailed just how important the series is to many within the industry in Queensland.

“Trainers can win Derby’s, Young Guns series' or the Ipswich Cup, but it is the Vince Curry, that is a humbling experience for a trainer,” Essex said.

“It is well thought of and owners and trainers really want to win it.

“There is races that are worth a million dollars these days in Australia but a series like the Vince Curry, that is about prestige and tradition.”

The glamour event for the club was first run at the Ipswich Showgrounds track in 1984 and it has only grown in prominence and significance since.

Brenton Scott - Racing Queensland’s Senior Racing Manager for Greyhounds – says it is a highlight on the calendar every year in the state.

“It is an event of great tradition that is steeped in history,” Scott said.

“The prize money now makes it the stand out young greyhound event across Australia.

“We expect this year’s event to be heavily targeted for that reason and that will ensure there is great depth in the heats.”

The renowned broadcaster – Curry – sadly passed away in February of 1983, aged 54.

He was born on the Darling Downs and was often referred to as “racing's Mr Nice Guy”.

The respected Curry called an array of sports throughout his distinguished career, including Olympic Games, the gallops at tracks across Queensland, Davis Cup tennis, Test cricket, among others.

But, the great voice of sport in Brisbane never did call a greyhound race.

So, why did the Ipswich club name their signature race after a man that was not a regular behind the binoculars at their track?

While Curry did not call dogs races at Ipswich, his influence on the club was profound in the early days and continues to be felt into 2023.

The administrator in Essex’s role in the early 1980s contacted Curry, then the sporting director of radio station 4BC, about getting their races broadcast across the air waves.

Essex can pick up the tale from there.

“The then President of Ipswich - Ted Meehan - was trying to get Saturday night racing at his club and in those days, you needed to have a tie-up in broadcasting to get TAB support,” the current President recalls.

“Therefore he approached Vince Curry and Vince came on board and thought it was a great idea.

“Vince thought the harness racing from Albion Park on a Saturday night and dogs from Ipswich would be a great combination for the station.”

For Curry’s efforts, the club decided to make a lasting decision to honour him.

“God bless him that he thought that way and helped us out,” Essex said with a chuckle.

“The club then decided to name the series after him following his input to get Saturday night racing off the ground at Ipswich and it is great that we have it.”

As a youngster many decades ago, Essex remembers listening to Curry on the radio from his North Queensland home as a kid.

As well as the record prize money for a maiden series, the Vince Curry Memorial has a track record of producing star greyhounds, as well as stand out stud dogs.

Ned Snow’s Shipwreck has gone on to amass almost $200,000 in stakes over the last year after claiming the Vince Curry in 2022.

Top former greyhounds such as Farmor Beach and High Earner, among others, also have their name on the record books for the series.

The series commences with eight heats on Saturday night, which becomes semi-finals seven days later before the Final is held on February 4^th.

“The event itself is a nursery for future champions,” Scott said.

“The format of the series and the prize money ensures that the cream of the young stars target this event.

“The three week series allows dogs to develop and peak at the right time, so come Final night, we have eight great chances in this race.

“And, the winner usually goes on to much greater heights, as it is a nursery of future star greyhounds.”

Meanwhile, with the green light given to the Greater Brisbane Greyhound Centre last year, the Vince Curry Memorial series will become a regular fixture at the new Purga site.

Construction on the multi-million dollar GBGC will commence during 2023 after receiving planning approval from the Palaszczuk Government.

Situated just south of Ipswich, GBGC will feature three tracks - a straight track, a much-needed one-turn track and a two-turn track – and will be beamed to more than 60 nations across the world through Sky Racing.

The project will see the Brisbane and Ipswich Greyhound Racing Clubs co-locate at its new home at Purga in Ipswich.

Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club CEO Luke Gatehouse is looking forward to the popular series being run at the brand new track when it is officially opened.

“It is great that this maiden series has continued from strength to strength and I am sure when we move to the new complex, it will be one of the big features on the calendar,” Gatehouse said.