Des and Debbie Winters chalked up a notable matrimonial milestone recently and they might have more celebrations at the latest Casino meeting today.
The Northern Rivers couple have returning Gunna Valley aiming for her third win in four starts when she goes from box four in the Casino Golf Club Stakes (484m).
An impressive early starter, the bitch was in great form but has been sidelined for several weeks due to injury.
Success would give the couple another reason to smile after they marked their 40th wedding anniversary last Sunday.
“It would be a nice way to celebrate,” Des said.
“We’ve been doing a lot of work with Gunna Valley and she has come up good.
“She’s looking good and I think she can do well.”
Winters started training about 20 years ago after joining forces with a mate.
“The first bitch we had got greyhound of the year at Grafton,” he said. “That was it – I was hooked.
“I just like the atmosphere around racing. Greyhound people are really friendly.
“They are beautiful animals as well. If you do right by them, they will do right by you.”
Over the years the Winters have bred, reared and trained scores of greyhounds, combining duties with running a Grafton shed business.
“I start (the day) in the dark and finish in the dark,” Des said.
“You get down if you haven’t had a winner for a while but then you get a spring in your step when they win.
“My word, I still get excited by a win. I like seeing the young ones coming through as well. It’s very satisfying.”
This will be a first outing in almost two months for Gunna Valley after she injured a foot winning at the Queen Elizabeth Park track in June.
That was a third win in ten starts for the promising sprinter – all at Casino.
“I think the only thing that might stop her is a lack of conditioning,” Winters said. “Other than that, she’s got a good chance.”
Winters also said he may prime the greyhound for the forthcoming Group 3 Charcoal Inn Casino Cup (484m).
The $25,000-to-the-winner race kicks off with heats on Friday, September 19.
Other notables to watch at Casino on Friday include All Pure Magic (race five), a solid performer for canny North Coast trainer Evelyn Harris.
Meanwhile, the remarkable Kingsbrae Molly, who has placed on all 17 of her outings at Casino, goes in race seven.
Ten races are on the card at Casino and action starts at 12.42pm.
For fields, form and expert tips, click here.
