A couple with over 80 years’ combined experience in greyhound racing are on the verge of qualifying for a Category One final with a talented bitch they raised from birth.
Jill Sutherst and Glenn Lynas broke their Category One duck when landing the British Bred Northern Plate with Witton Derecho at Newcastle Stadium in 2019.
Four years on, the couple of 26 years are now less than 29 seconds from reaching another of the sport’s most prestigious finals with the daughter of the greyhound who realised their Category One dream.
Witton Venus is programmed to run in the semi finals of the Premier Greyhound Racing All England Cup at Newcastle Stadium on Thursday. The £20,000 competition is contested by 36 of the UK’s fastest greyhounds over three consecutive Thursday evenings through December, concluding with the Grand Final on December 28.
For 68-year-old Glenn, winning the All England Cup would serve as a career highlight following a personal 50-year journey devoted to breeding, training and caring for greyhounds.
To qualify, Witton Venus must place in the first two of the third semi final which also features Brookside Richie, Savana Shay, Coolavanny Mercy, Swift Silly and Coppice Kaiser.
Glenn said: “It would mean the world to win – the triumph would be unimaginable after all these years racing.
“Despite getting older, the excitement never leaves you. Prestigious competitions like the Premier Greyhound Racing All England Cup are giving the sport a new lease of life, and to be in the semi finals makes it ever better.
“We race because we love the sport. That is why we carry on - because it is a lifelong passion.”
Witton Venus’ semi final spot was secured following her Heat Two win in the competition’s opening round last week. The three-year-old clocked 29.22 seconds – an average speed of 36.74mph – to beat fellow qualifiers Coppice Rocket and Droopys Eddie.
Glenn added: “She’s only just coming back to her full form after returning from her season in October.
“Her semi final trap draw (trap four) is ideal and gives her a good chance of picking up some early pace. She loves racing at Newcastle and her performances there are nothing short of brilliant.
“The pace she set last week was brilliant to witness, but there’s no doubt this is a difficult race to win. However, she’s up for the challenge and we’ll keep our fingers crossed that she can perform on the day.”
Tickets for the 2023 Premier Greyhound Racing All England Cup Semi Finals at Newcastle Stadium on Thursday, December 21, are on sale from £7 and can be purchased here.
Race one is due off at 6.19pm with the first of three All England Cup Semi Finals scheduled for 7.41pm.
Semi Final One: Bogger Rambo, Cunnigar Yousir, Pape Di Oro, Unreal Bruiser, Coppice Rocket, Burj Khalifa.
Semi Final Two: Glengar Bridie, Antigua Eclipse, Wrighty, Jonny Whiskers, Skywalker Pele, Droopys Eddie.
Semi Final Three: Brookside Richie, Savana Shay, Coolavanny Mercy, Witton Venus, Swift Silly, Coppice Kaiser.
