The National Coursing Association of Victoria has broken with tradition and will conduct this year’s Victorian Derby and Victorian Oaks on successive Sundays at Longwood – commencing with the first round on June 14.

NCAV president Peter Craig says the move is designed to attract more entries for both events, which are for male (Derby) and female (Oaks) ‘puppies’ whelped on or after March 1, 2018.

“We’ve been staging the Sylvester Doyle Puppy Championship along these lines and it has achieved the desired result,” he said. “So, we’re going down the same path with the Derby and Oaks.”

He added that the new format “will make it easier for the younger coursing greyhounds as they won’t have to back up a day later”.

“Being pups, they’re not as conditioned as open age coursing greyhounds such as Waterloo Cup class. Additionally, this revised arrangement also falls in line with GRV’s ‘consecutive day’ policy.”

Week 1 (Sunday, June 14) of the Victorian Derby and Victorian Oaks will be complimented by two open age events – Bert Clark Memorial and Longwood Cup.

Nominations for this meeting close on Thursday, June 11 at 8.30am.

Week 2 (Sunday, June 21) of the Victorian Derby and Victorian Oaks will also feature the JN Smith Memorial and the Werribee Cup.

Pawnote: Peter Craig also wished to express his gratitude to the Sale Greyhound Racing Club, which is a long-time Derby/Oaks sponsor.

“We’re proud of their support and great contribution to coursing in general,” he said.