Ebby Ripper, the "grand old lady'' of greyhound racing, will race for the final time at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
Ebby Ripper has box five in the fittingly-named Farewell Ebby Ripper Stakes over her favourite distance, 720m.
She goes into the race boasting a record of 32 wins and 52 placings from 129 starts with $316,846 in earnings.
Originally trainer Michael Eberand had intended to retire "Snoozie'' when she came in season, but has fast forwarded her departure from the racetrack.
"I would rather she go out while she is still competitive and in great health,'' Eberand said.
"And maybe she will not come in season while she is still racing, and we want to get puppies from her.
"People have kept asking me when she is going to earn her retirement and I feel the time is right now.
"I don't want to see her uncompetitive and regardless of how she goes on Saturday she retires with good current form.
"It would be a fairy tale ending if she could win on Saturday but Ebby Ripper does not owe us any fairy tales.
"She has been a dream come true, taking me and my family on a long journey, especially as before I got her I was following greyhound racing for 30 years.
"I used to go to Wenty Park each week as a kid, particularly enjoying watching the great stayers in action.
"So to breed, own and train one in the class of those champs of yester year has been fantastic, so I have both happy and sad feelings that she won't be racing after Saturday night.''
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Blue Bronte and Thunda Touch, offspring of his former short course sensation Blue Thunda, gave trainer John Miles a sizzling winning double at Gosford on Tuesday night.
Blue Bronte, from Blue Thunda's second litter, to Fernando Bale, led throughout over 388m in 22.20 while her older half-brother Thunda Touch, a son of Magic Sprite, also led all the way, duplicating his baby sibling's time.
Blue Bronte, who has now won each of her three races, returns to the track at LADBROKES GARDENS on Saturday night where Thunda Touch, whose record stands at six wins from 18 starts, will also compete.
Their dam Blue Thunda won her first eight races in succession for Miles but after winning 18 of just 23 starts, shattered a hock.
"I spent $3500 with veterinary surgeons to save Blue Thunda,'' Miles recalled.
"There was never any question about doing anything to ensure she survived but it has turned out a good investment because her pups can certainly run.
"Blue Thunda has just whelped her third litter to Barcia Bale and while I'm not sure whether Blue Bronte will get further than 388 or 400m, the prizemoney is good enough now to persevere with short course greyhounds.
"People sometimes whinge about 300 and 400m races but they should remember that short course dogs never get a chance at earning the really big money, so they should not begrudge them the chance to earn a few dollars.''
