Kel Greenough is daring to dream with the emergence of exciting sprinter Zara’s Entity.
Widely regarded as one of the state’s premier conditioners, Greenough has won some of greyhound racing’s most prestigious feature races including the Topgun, Temlee and the Silver Chief. But there is one race Greenough longs to win above all others – the TAB Melbourne Cup.
“To win the Cup, it’d mean everything I think I’d instantly retire,” he said.
“I’ve watched Melbourne Cups since I was a kid. I was there when Greg Norman presented the cup, and when they brought out Elke Summer. When they gave away a car years ago I’d never seen so many people at a track.
“It’s been the main goal I’ve always wanted achieve and never looked like doing it. While some of those other races we’ve had are very nice, the Melbourne Cup is the pinnacle of any greyhound race in the world. But it has always been something that has been out of reach, we’ve just never had any luck for whatever reason.”
That luck may change with the emergence of exciting sprinter Zara’s Entity. A winner of eight of her 15 starts and over $62,000 in prize money, ‘Zara’ has already tasted group race success when victorious in the Cranbourne Puppy Classic, and at her last start ran fifth in a star studded group 1 Adelaide Cup final. She has twice broken 29.30 at Sandown Park, prompting her trainer to draw some lofty comparisons with a former champion.
“She reminds me ability wise of (three time group 1 winner) Cindeen Shelby,” he said.
“She’s reasonably good early, very, very strong and can match it with the boys. Obviously she’s a long, long way from achieving what she has achieved but ability wise it’s where I think she’s at. She has a lot of good attributes, she chases very well, we love her she’s just a nice type of dog. It’s just great to have a chance to be going into a race like the Melbourne Cup.”
Zara’s Entity continues her TAB Melbourne Cup quest when she lines up from box 1 in a Cup Prelude at Sandown Park tonight. Greyhounds must contest a Cup Prelude or win an exemption race to be eligible to contest the Cup heats on Friday 17 November.
Three generations of Greenoughs assist in the preparation of their racing team, with Kel’s wife Jackie, their daughter Angela, grandson Bradley and his girlfriend Chelbe sharing the duties. While Kel is the trainer of record, Bradley (pictured right) will assume the handling duties for the kennel’s star.
“Brad likes to think it’s his magic hands that gets her out of the box, but we just like to bump his ego up a little bit,” said Kel, laughing.
“Come Melbourne Cup time I wouldn’t take the job off him, I’d be on a hiding to nothing!”
Zara’s Entity will jump from box 1 in TAB Melbourne Cup Prelude 6 (race 8 at Sandown Park tonight). She has been well supported in TAB Melbourne Cup betting and is currently rated a $14 chance to win the world’s richest greyhound race. Click here for the latest tab.com.au market.
