Real hare joins racing greyhounds in Australia

Shepparton - A confused hare in Australia ended up crossing a race track in front of eight greyhounds. One of the dogs decided that she should chase the live animal instead of the lure, and left the track.

Eight dogs were competing in the Finer Fruit Stakes at Shepparton, in Victoria, when the hare made its appearance. A dog named Ginny Lou, who was racing third at the time, quickly switched direction and set off toward the outside fence, in pursuit of the animal. The hare managed to get away and the dog changed direction again to finish the race. Stewards declared a “no race” and bookies refunded all bets. $32,000 (£18,500) had been bet on the race. "Ginny Lou is pretty smart because she's the only dog who set off after the real thing," trainer Scott Stefanos told The Daily Telegraph. "It's a shame she didn't get rewarded for her efforts. The lure must have scared the rabbit because it's come from underneath the inside fence, took a couple of strides towards the dogs, realised it was going the wrong way and then darted across the track.” Stefanos said he would take the dog out on the track for a trail, to make sure she doesn’t look for a hare at the same spot, before she races again. It is believed that this is the first time a greyhound has chased a live hare during a race in Australia.