Well it’s happened. It had to happen but many thought it would happen sooner. The career of the Dockers greyhound Whaler Widd is sadly coming to an end. Given his average race time at Cannington, it’s safe to say its coming to a slow end but it’s an end none the less. Wednesday the 22nd March the Whaler will grace the Cannington circuit one last time and close the book on an incredibly ordinary but enjoyable career.

The Whaler captured the hearts and imagination of an entire football club. Sure, he also captured many of their wallets and purses as well but it was all good fun. Initially thought to be a bargain buy the Whaler turned out to be a recruit possibly on par with that of one of the Daniels, Shell or Hargreaves….actually hold on a minute that is highly insulting to the Whaler.

The career kicked off back in February 2005 when Whaler Widd ran a ripping second at his Cannington debut. Immediately Perth Cups and interstate campaigns were sketched out. Then that pesky alarm clock sounded and we all woke up from that dream. The truth of the matter is thoughts of retirement were given serious consideration as he’d performed far above and beyond all our expectations. But we resisted the temptation to go out almost on top so the Whaler wagon kicked on. With a next start resulting in a disappointing seventh placing we were soon brought back down to earth. Fortunately it’s not a big fall from the second place position on the podium. Things went from bad to worse as the very next run tragedy struck when the Whaler sustained a severe hock injury. It wasn’t until the next day we realized the injury had occurred given he still managed a 35.66 run which was just marginally off his personal best. The tragedy threatened to end the Whaler’s three start career. The injury would cheat him of lengths possibly ending any chance of repeating that slashing second placing but the trainer had other ideas. When asked if it was retirement time for the Whaler, Pistol Pete Sayer said, “My last name isn’t Cousins. I don’t do the Harold Holt when the heat is on” (Pete Sayer is obviously a man well ahead of his time. Roughly by about 12 months.)

It has to go down in history as one of the greatest training performances the world has ever seen. Peter Sayer, after working on the Whaler for eight months and having very little to work with, got the ability challenged super dog up in the lucky last at Cannington on November 9th 2005. Pete got Whaler Widd back racing after virtually having a leg amputated and somehow trained him up for a win when pre-injury he was 100/1 in a solo trial. But the most incredible achievement Pete “Moses” Sayer performed was he somehow managed to have the race run to suit. The Whaler settled last and was looking comfortable being in familiar surroundings when suddenly the field in front of him parted like the red sea. Through no fault of his own he found himself pushing up to third with the two leaders far beyond reach. Entering the home straight the runners were chasing him down from behind and the two in front looked destined for the quinella. Then with a sympathetic sense of occasion one of the two leaders decided to run wide, collecting a challenger putting them both out of contention. Half way down the straight this left the Whaler in second looking well satisfied. That was until the single leader got lonely and did his bit to help the miracle come true. The Whaler did it. It was uncharted waters but that elusive and incredible win had been achieved.

The Fremantle Docker contingent went crazy. Pistol Pete Sayer and the Whaler had done it. They performed what no one thought possible. It brought back a flood of amazing memories of the 2001 season and the win against Hawthorn at the Telstra Dome.

In thirteen races since that great day the Whaler has been able to manage just three thirds. He has never not tried his box off and everyone associated has enjoyed the ride. Unfortunately it’s like going through the painful Dale Kickett resignation all over again. Age and injury has caught up with him and he can no longer manage the grueling requirements of racing. He performed admirably under the circumstances and not being blessed with enormous ability he did an exceptional job. It’s rare any dog gets back after such a serious injury and when you ad that to the age he returned to racing in I’m surprised he managed the trek to the boxes before the races got underway. Like the Dockers from the get go the Whaler was given no favours. A dog that desperately required the rails he received boxes six, seven and eight on twelve of his nineteen draws. The hiring of an Architect was seriously considered at times because it seemed it was the only hope he had of drawing a decent box.

The efforts of Team Sayer need congratulating and thanking. Peter and Helen Sayer were outstanding and incredibly generous. It’s safe to say you’d struggle to find another trainer that would go to such lengths with a dog of such limited ability. Their treatment of the Whaler and the Dockers was first class and far above and beyond anyone’s expectations. Glen “The Foreman” Price was always there leading him out and Nifty Neville Smith was magnificent in giving up his time and taking the Whaler on for his last three starts. Special thanks should go to Lionel Hodgson for his assistance in helping to nurse the Whaler back to health. He did an exceptional job.

For the Wharfies Syndicate it wasn’t just about the Whaler wins (actually that should be win) on the Whaler journey. It was a ride of monumental proportions, inspiring many a wisecrack and joke along the way. It even gave Eric Clapton the inspiration to come up with his song “Whaler”. The Whaler left his mark on each and every member of the Wharfies and also on the Docker’s boardroom table through a decent scratch when he was down there one afternoon. On this Wednesday night the Whaler Widd Wharfies led by Kelly O’Donnell will give their chaser a well deserved send off by attending his final race bringing the final curtain down on his career. They will be going out to Cannington with low expectations but high on hope. Can the Whaler find one more miracle and send himself and the Wharfies out with one more win?

So Wednesday night if you’ve got nothing happening then get down to Cannington and give the Whaler a send off.