Each year Greyhound Clubs Australia stages the National titles, with championships for both the country’s best sprinters and best stayers. 

The Nationals are held around the country on a rotational basis. Heats and finals are staged in each State and New Zealand, with the respective winners gaining a berth to compete at the National Finals in that year’s host city.

Like many things across the globe, the National Championships were impacted greatly by COVID-19, and as a result the titles were unable to be staged in 2020 or 2021. 

The last time the Nationals were held was in 2019 in Perth when Reidy’s Runner took out the Distance title and local Premium Share defeated NSW star Good Odds Harada to win the Sprint Championship.

The first National Sprint Championship was held at Sydney’s Harold Park back in 1965 and won by NSW sprinter Best Sun.

Across the years the event has been claimed by some of the absolute superstars of the industry, including: Temlee (1974), Acclaim Star (1979), Winifred Bale (1983) Sandi’s Me Mum (1989 & 1990), Flying Amy (1995), Rapid Journey (1998), Chica Destacada (2014) and Fernando Bale (2015).

The first National Distance Championship was also held in Sydney, this time at Wentworth Park in 1969 and was won by Victorian Amerigo Lady.

Among the distinguished names on the honour roll are: Dotie Wilson (1975), High Intensity (1988), Boronia Blossum (1995 & 1996), Dashing Corsair (2011), Miata (2012), Fanta Bale (2017) and Tornado Tears (2018).

The Frank Hurst-trained Good Odds Cash gained her berth in the final as a wildcard after having no luck from a wide draw in the NSW final, but she showed tremendous tenacity to hold off the favourite Simly Limelight and take out the Group 1 final.