186 race start veteran Chill Out Webby goes out a winner
It is not very often that a greyhound can have a fairytale ending to a long race career, but that's exactly what happened to a popular dog named Chill Out Webby at The Meadows last Saturday night (April 9, 2022).
The Julie Chilcott trained greyhound was sent out a +5000 shot with greyhound betting sites in race 12 and wasn't expected to feature in the top three in his last hurrah, being his 186th start.
But the son of Fabregas x Maddison Lee was having none of that, taking control around the final bend, winning by 1.66 lengths in a time of 30.89 over the 525m.
Speaking with Julie Chilcott the morning after, she was still abuzz from the victory of her five and a half year old chaser.
“It was a shock that he won,” she said.
“We thought he could run a place if he had the right run and everything went well for him but we really didn't expect to win.”
Chilcott said that it was only fitting that the kennel favourite had his final race start in front of loved ones and family at his favourite track.
“He was named after my nephew and the family have shares in him,” Chilcott said.
“They were all there last night which made the win extra special.”
But for now it's more McDonalds cheeseburgers for the kennel favourite who has a comfy couch awaiting.
“He was born here and now has a couch lined up here to retire,” Chilcott said.
“We bred him at the property and he was one of the easiest dogs to train really. Most days he just went in the runs, did a few laps and then came back for the walker.”
“Webby” as he is affectionately known as had a career that most owner/trainers would dream of. A lot of starts, not many injuries and a few wins too (16).
The 31kg black dog appeared in the placings on 67 occasions with wins at greyhound tracks all over the state from headquarters at The Meadows to three hours down the highway at Horsham, with many of his wins rewarding punters with juicy double figure dividends.
But it was The Meadows where he raced best, having won half a dozen times over the 525m and 600m distances.
CHILL OUT WEBBY!!!
186 starts ✅
1,973 days old ✅
$101 fixed with the TAB ✅
City win at the Meadows! ✅Well done Team Chilcott 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/t31D8cwAV6
— Melbourne Greyhounds – The Meadows (@MelbourneGreys) April 9, 2022
He rewarded his connections with more than $64,000 in prizemoney.
“He just likes circle tracks, we know he is no champion but he always gave his all,” Chilcott said.
“Last night was definitely my favourite win with Webby because all of the family were there to celebrate it.
“None of us thought he would win and i didnt' have a cent on him, we all just wanted him to come home safe.”