Matcott Breaks South Australian Greyhound Training Record
Murray Bridge greyhound trainer Shaun Matcott has scored one of the break throughs of his training career, beating the record for training the most South Australian TAB winners in a calendar year.
As of November 18, Matcott and wife Wendy had trained 377 winners, beating the previous record of 375 winners, formerly owned by another Murray Bridge trainer, Steve Collins.
Ironically, the kennels where Collins trained his dogs to achieve the previous record were bought by the Matcott family about two years ago, and their dogs have been in fine form ever since.
Matcott also retains the lead in the TAB Australian title, after winning the illustrious award last year.
With racing still not over for the year, Matcott could amass about 400 TAB winners by the year's end.
He also leads the non-TAB premiership table with 34 winners, his nearest rival on 17 winners.
Earlier this year the 38-year-old celebrated his most successful win, by taking out the prestigious group three $28,050 South Australian Breeders Plate final, held at Angle Park in May.
Mattcott took out the race with greyhound Elegant Vintage and collected about $19,000 from the win, his first in a group race.
Last year Matcott was officially named the second best greyhound trainer in Aust-ralia after achieving 248 winners.
He also took out the South Australian Greyhound Train-er of the Year award and was just five off the State record of 252 wins in a year.
Matcott travels to the State's main greyhound tracks, including Strathalbyn, Gawler, Port Pirie and Adelaide's Angle Park, three to four times a week to compete.
Matcott said he would not have enjoyed so much success if it was not for his family, Wendy and children Elly and Jade, who all work tirelessly to help with preparation for each meet.