For the first time since 2019, greyhound racing’s Mount Gambier Cup Calcutta will return to Tara Raceway on Friday, March 24.

Covid put paid to the Calcutta in 2020 and 2021, while last year it was conducted on the Friday night prior to the Sunday heats at the Commercial Hotel in conjunction with the Mount Gambier Harness Racing Club.

It worked pretty well with Kevin “KD” Douglas compering the evening and Chris Manser of Green Triangle Real Estate auctioning the 37 greyhounds that were to contest the six cup heats.

Certainly long gone are the days when Michael Robinson was perched inconspicuously down the back of the clubrooms, pencil and paper in hand to record the auction results.

And all the while working out how much the purchaser of the cup winner would ultimately receive.

Last year it was Jason Newman and his daughter Zari who handled the computerised draw.

Subsequent auction information kept those in attendance informed as to the progress of the pool.

Highest-priced dog on the night was Giant’s Flash who brought $800 at auction with the purchaser of the Mount Gambier Cup winner a week later set to collect the tidy sum of $3437.

As it turned out, the winner was Newman’s own dog, Departure Gate, who had been picked up for $280.

Adding even more interest to the 2022 Carlin & Gazzard MG Mount Gambier Cup final had been Victorian trainer Angela Langton’s Weblec Angel who a few weeks earlier had won the Murray Bridge Cup.

Greyhound Racing SA had linked incentive-based bonuses when the first Murray Bridge Cup was run in 2019.

This had been in a bid to entice owners and trainers to then support the Mount Gambier Cup.

The bonuses include $5000 if the same greyhound can win both cups.

In addition, there is a $5000 bonus if the same trainer is able to win both cups (SA or interstate or different dogs).

While still in place, GRSA is yet to make a bonus payout although Weblec Angel went close when going down to Departure Gate by a head.

The last time the Calcutta was conducted at Tara Raceway it was the Victorian chaser Aston It Is who attracted the most attention when bringing $920

at auction.

But the 2019 Calcutta was a busy night with Slingshot Hammer, Pure White Evil, Waterloo Monelli and Shima Mart also keenly sought after.

And Victorian trainer Andrew Paraskevas went into the final with Pure White Evil in line for a bonus after his litter brother and kennelmate Eye Got It had won the recently-run Murray Bridge Cup.

However, it was Galactic Athena, having only her sixth race start for local owner Robert Chuck and trainer Steve Bartholomew, who defeated Slingshot Hammer in the Group Listed final.

And the Calcutta winner collected $3416.

So how does a Calcutta actually work?

Well, participants buy “raffle” tickets to enter into the initial draw round of the Calcutta.

“Every dog running in the 2023 Mount Gambier Cup heats will then be raffled and awarded to the corresponding ticket holder.

The successful ticket holders are now considered the “owner” of that cup heat runner moving into the auction.

“And all proceeds from the “raffle” tickets sold are added to the prize pool.

The “ownership” of each dog will then be publicly auctioned to the highest bidder.

“Following this, 50% of the value of the winning auction bid is distributed to the “owner/s” of the dog after the “raffle” phase.

The other 50% is added to the prize pool.

“Owners” may buy their dog back at 50% of the auction price.

“After the auction is completed the ownership is now settled until the completion of the heats and final.

Still confused? These couple of examples may help.

Wendy wins Speedy Nick in the “raffle”.

However, John wins the auction with a bid of $100.

“Wendy would receive $50 as “owner” and $50 would be added to the prize pool.

Dan wins Speedy Bill in the “raffle”.

However Dan also wins the auction with a bid of $100.

Dan would receive $50 back as “owner” and $50 would be added to the prize pool.

“This means Dan has retained Speedy Bill at a 50% discount on the auction price.

Once again, Kevin Douglas and Chris Manser will be in charge of proceedings.

The Calcutta night will commence at around the 6pm mark with a barbecue and salads meal available, along with bar facilities.

“Raffle” tickets for the initial draw round of the Calcutta will be available at Tara Raceway on Lake Terrace East as from this week.

“Cost of tickets are $1 each or $80 for 100.