Residents involved in the Wimmera's disability sector flocked to Horsham Greyhound Racing Club for a day out and the chance to win money.
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The club hosted the Great Chase - part of a series of events statewide where Greyhound Racing Victoria invites organisations caring for people with intellectual or physical disabilities to a day of racing where they receive free catering and merchandise.
At the start of the day, organisers allocated each group a greyhound.
The highest-scoring dogs earned their supporters a share of $2000.
Ararat-based adult disability programs Wood 'N' Crete Products and Manna Gums Nursery were among those who attended.
Manna Gums Nursery participants plant native trees for farmers. Business co-ordinator Colin Prior said the event was a major social event for them.
"Our guys talk about it all year - they love it," he said.
"As soon as the poster goes on the wall, they start asking: 'When are we going?'. They put their dollar each way bet on every race, and they have tea and we get on the bus together as a group.
"These guys are on pretty limited budgets, as you can imagine, so a bit of extra cash means they can have a good time out."
Wood 'N' Crete Products' business co-ordinator Russell Streeter said the groups had attended the event for more than 10 years.
"We've won the prize money a couple of times - including last year," he said.
"I'd say we have around $2000 all up, and we share that because we're a day program that works in conjunction with Manna Gums, so if one wins we'll take the other out for tea."
Horsham Greyhound Racing Club manager Justin Brilliant said the event had been taking place for 16 years.
He said most of the dogs at the event travelled from Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo to race.
"The support groups are invited down to Broadmeadows for the final, where they get another chance to win up to $10,000 for their group," he said.
"The Horsham event has always been well supported. We always get a good turnout, around 100 people most years."
"Last year an organisation that won money took its clients to a stage play in Melbourne and had a night's accommodation, so they really get a lot out of it."
The Great Chase final is on October 23.
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