Photo: australianracinggreyhound.com

The three-night race series kicks of this Saturday, 17 February, followed by a second race meeting on Saturday, 24 February, and culminating with the Group 1 Australian Cup – worth $250,000 – on Saturday, 3 March.

The Labor Government is contributing $95,000 to the carnival from the Victorian Racing Industry Fund Raceday Attraction Program, while the Melbourne Greyhound Racing Association is providing more than $243,000.

Each race night will feature a range of entertainment, including jumping castles, a photo booth and show bags. A special colour run obstacle course for children will be on offer at the 24 February meeting.

Pop-rock musician Brett Little will feature across the carnival, while Jason Singh of Taxiride, Reece Mastin from X Factor, and Dale Ryder of Boom Crash Opera will appear on 17 February. The carnival finale on 3 March will feature 2018 Country Music Male Artist of the Year Shane Nicholson.

Former North Melbourne AFL player Brent Harvey will make appearances on 24 February and 3 March as the ambassador for Greyhound Racing Victoria, while media personality Shawn Cosgrove – former voice of The Price is Right – will MC the carnival’s opening and closing events.

Since 2014, the Labor Government has contributed more than $815,000 to support three infrastructure projects and 13 greyhound racing events at The Meadows.

The racing industry in metropolitan Melbourne generates more than $1.5 billion annually for the Victorian economy and helps sustain more than 13,590 full-time equivalent jobs locally.