The news that the Goulburn Greyhound Racing club would host regional heats and a final of the Million Dollar Chase was broken by Greyhound Racing NSW earlier this week.

Club manager Pat Day said that the news was "exciting".

"We're looking forward to it, it's good that [the race] is supporting regional areas."

With Goulburn heats slated for September 24 and the final scheduled on September 29, the series will culminate in a grand final on October 18, which will be held at Wentworth Park.

The Million Dollar Chase was first held in 2018, but due to a sponsorship conflict, did not run in Goulburn. The series grand final will see the winner walk away with a prize of $1 million.

From 2019 onwards, Day confirmed that it would be a yearly fixture.

But the main focus, as far as the Goulburn club is concerned, is an initiative which puts the welfare of the animals at the forefront.

"We want to again use the interest in the Million Dollar Chase to help support and raise funds for the Greyhounds As Pets (GAP) program which ensures dogs are well looked after when they finish their racing careers," Greyhound Racing NSW CEO Tony Mestrov said.

"In 2018-2019, GAP NSW had helped re-home more than 700 greyhounds, which was a significant increase on the previous year, and a figure we plan to improve on in 2019-20.

"Again in 2019, 100 per cent of all entry fees paid by owners and trainers into the Million Dollar Chase will go directly into the GAP NSW program."

This year, Goulburn is one of 14 regional centres which will host what is slated to be a bigger series than last year's.

There are 64 places open in this year's semi-finals, and unlike 2018, where only the winner and runner-up from each regional final progressed, this year will see the top four of each race qualify.

Although the event is new to Goulburn, Day is "sure it will be well-patronised."

The first race of the series is scheduled to take place at Gunnedah on August 31. Eight semi-finals will run on October 11 with the grand final set for October 18.

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