When Penny Hutchinson became an “empty nester” in 2022, her life was turned upside down.

The South Coast local wasn’t used to having so much idle time and admits she struggled with the transition. 

“It’s so hard when you bring a little baby home from hospital and they totally depend on you and then all of a sudden, they are all grown up and ready to head out into the world,” Hutchinson said.

“I’ve got three daughters. Carole (31) left for university when she was 17. Anna (26) went to the Navy when she finished school and my youngest, Zoe (22), left about two years ago.”

“The feeling I had once Zoe was gone really took me by surprise. I’d heard of empty nest syndrome, but I used to think “I can’t wait for them to go”. Then when it happened, I wasn’t prepared, I was devastated.”

The 57-year-old turning to the sport of greyhound racing to help fill the gaping void in her life.

“My husband works fulltime so I was sitting at home thinking “what do I do now?”. Covid was still around, and I was a bit lost,” Hutchinson said.

“I’d been a greyhound owner for a little while and Donna Campbell, who trains my dog, On The Rocks, was encouraging me to get my trainers license but I kept saying “no way, I don’t know anything about it”.”

“But after a while I gave in. The house got so big without the kids around and the dogs really helped fill that empty hole.”

The rigours of training and racing greyhounds revving Hutchinson’s engine right back into overdrive.

“When I got the pups, that nurturing nature came straight back. You’re always busy, it keeps you interested and it brings me so much joy,” she said.

“I’ve never bet on them, I just love watching them run around. I take them down to the paddock to sniff about and I’ve always loved dogs, they lift your spirits.”

“They cause you worry and disrupt your sleep at times, just like the kids do, and I usually bring them up to the house when they’re not feeling well, but I wouldn’t change a thing.”

The self-dubbed “novice” already achieving some wonderful results in the training ranks, with War Hawk running third in last year’s Group 2 Maitland Cup and Bingo Fuel a Goulburn Fireball finalist.

“War Hawk’s result was a big shock because I didn’t even know what a group race was. I had no idea they were so prestigious, and we almost missed the presentation of the rugs because I didn’t know we were supposed to be there,” she laughed.

War Hawk continuing his good form with the biggest race win of his career last week.

The son of Barcia Bale leading all the way in the Dapto heat of the Ladbrokes Country Classic to claim victory in a time of 34.33 ahead of Cumbria Kid, Mortified and Energizer Miss.

“It was really funny because no one had mentioned him in the lead up to the race. I was talking to one of my friends beforehand and he said War Hawk would have to get out quick otherwise he was no chance of catching these fast dogs,” she said.

“Then he came out and led and I was just hoping he could hold on. He’d never run 600m before so I was completely shocked and elated that he won. Steve Fitch’s dog [Cumbria Kid] was coming for him but he just seemed to have a bit in reserve when needed.”

The 12-time winner drawing the tricky Box 5 in a tough semi-final of the $125,000 feature at Dubbo on Saturday night.

“It just gets harder and harder for him. I think a lot of the dogs he’s in against will have a big advantage because he’s never seen the place and he doesn’t have a lot of experience. There wasn’t really any time to trial him and the trip out and back would have taken a lot out of him…but we’re ready to give it a go,” she said.

The softly spoken South Coast-based trainer embracing her newfound passion despite her lack of experience.

“A lot of things have come up along the way and I’ve had to ask Donna for help, but that’s part of the fun. I don’t have a bull ring or a slipping track like many trainers do but I’ve got 10 acres for them to run around in and I walk them up in the bush. I take them to trial and race them and make do with what I’ve got,” she adds.

And what Penny’s got is a renewed purpose for life. All thanks to the dogs.