The Whippet Racing Club of Victoria Inc. is a dedicated group of people who meet once per month between March and November to race their whippets.  We meet at the Tooradin Trial Track in Tooradin, Victoria.  Dogs compete for the Sprint and Distance Shields which are awarded at a presentation evening at the conclusion of the race season.  Although there is some healthy competitive spirit, this is a very social club that allows you to enter your whippets to do what they do best.... RUN! No matter where your whippet places, the excitement  from the dogs as well as the members makes for an excellent afternoon of fun in a family friendly environment.

New members are encouraged to come along for a free trial day, meet everyone and see your whippet run.  If you would like more information please do not hesitate to contact us at: wrcvinc@yahoo.com.au

The Early Years

At the start of the 1970's, hound racing was conducted monthly on a Sunday at Tony Marino's trial track at Diamond Creek, which is now housing development.  This racing involved Afghans, Borzois, Deerhounds, Pharaoh Hounds and Whippets.  As a result of this, Roy Moore, Jim Field and Robert Peters started racing Whippets only at a straight grass track in Farm Road in Cheltenham which was used to train Greyhounds.  At the WRCV's first meeting, there were only 6 dogs racing.  It was not long before it grew to about 20 when the decision was made to move too a new trial track in Stephenson's Road in Cranbourne in 1974.

The club really blossomed at its new location, with each dog having 2 runs for the day (90 mts and 297 mts).  The 8 dog starting boxes allowed for full fields.  As the club continued to grow at a rapid rate, there were times when there were 70 dogs competing.  The grades were maiden, novice and grades 1 to 5.  Exhibition races were also regularly held. at various country and Greyhound tracks such as Harold Park and Wentworth Park in Sydney.  In the mid 80's this trial track closed and the club moved to another track in Thompson's Rd , Carrum Downs.  It was known then as 'Azzodardis' and later became 'Murphy's'.  Numbers started to drop in the 90s and again resulted in the closure of the track, forcing the move to Tooradin.

Our grader Carol Whittam was one of the early stalwarts in the club's infancy at Cranbourne.  She was closely followed by Marion Wright who became the club's longstanding secretary.  Thanks to both of you indeed.

 by Robert Peters,
(a founding member of the WRCV Inc.)

WRCV Inc. Copyright  ©  2012