Not a lot people get to celebrate their greyhound contesting 150 starts.
However, last Monday at Cranbourne, Why Not Kez (Fernando Bale x Why Not Bev) contested start number 150 over the 311m short course for owner, Gail Carter, and her son, Devon Meadows-based trainer, Leigh Carter (pictured with Why Not Kez above).
And, at five and half years of age, and sporting the green number six rug in her sesquicentennial race, Why Not Kez came out all guns blazing and speared straight to the early lead.
Despite surrendering front position on the home bend to eventual winner Ready For Sea – a greyhound three years her junior – Why Not Kez refused to throw in the towel and finished a creditable second, beaten just 1.25L.
Sure, winning at start number 150 would have been a fairy tale, but trainer Leigh Carter was proud of his greyhound nonetheless.
“She doesn’t know how old she is. She’s just a good old honest girl and she just keeps on going and going and going,” Carter said.
Why Not Kez is a litter sister to former decorated veteran sprinter Why Not Bazzar, the reigning Cranbourne Greyhound of the Year.
WATCH: Why Not Kez (6) jumps straight to the lead in her 150th start before eventually finishing second to Ready For Sea (8). Results
Although less heralded, Why Not Kez has herself put together a more-than-handy resume, winning 13 races over a range of distances between 311-600m – including victories at Sandown and The Meadows, while she has amassed more than $29,000 in prize money.
“She doesn’t like other dogs being in front of her,” Carter said. “She has got that attitude and always has.”
Next on her agenda for ‘Kez’ is a heat of the inaugural Grassroots Regional Championship at Sale on Friday, where she’ll exit the cherished box one.
