Real hare disrupts a greyhound race in Australia
A greyhound race in Australia had to be declared void on Monday after a live hare decided to take an afternoon stroll across the track in the middle of a race.
The startled hare came from underneath the inside fence, from a nearby field, and started to run around the track before realizing a cavalry charge was heading its way and making a break for the exit sign.
Only one dog, Ginny Lou, decided to chase down the intruder, darting across the course before, inevitably, the hare broke through the stands to safety. The 20-1 shot, who was third at the time of the hare-raising arrival, gave up the chase and went on to finish the race, coming in last place.
Obviously, stewards at the Shepparton track in the state of Victoria declared the race void and handed back punters the £18,500 they had bet.
Scott Stefanos, Ginny Lou’s trainer, said: “Greyhounds are sight hounds and every time Ginny Lou sees a ball or something moving in the wind her ears prick up, so when she saw the hare skirt past her eyes, she chased it away and then ran back on to the track to finish the race.
“To her credit she thought she was doing the right thing, then had the nous to carry on and join the rest of the field.”
Thankfully all the dogs were left unscathed by the incident.
What of the hare? Well, he will be in a field somewhere, basking in the glory of his fifteen minutes of fame.
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