Matt Matic, who, with wife Ruth, burst onto the scene when they trained WP's 1983 National Derby winner World Park Ned, has passed away.
Matic, Ruth and their daughter Danielle have been among Sydney's top trainers ever since, with their roster of stars reading like a who's who of the sport.
Crack greyhounds they have trained include Bit Chili (13 wins), Hurricane Luke (21 wins from 45 starts), Faithful Love (19 wins), Natural Love and Mountain Of Love (28 wins each), Kedo's Millie (26 wins) and Magic Coin (16 wins).
While he was no group winner like many from the Matic yard, the family's short course sprinter Watta Whisper was the most durable, recording 48 wins from 104 races.
More recently the Matic clan has enjoyed group race wins with Black Bear Lee, who has won 21 of 52 races.
Because Matt Matic did not wish to have a funeral, the NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners & Trainers Association are planning a tribute night for him in the near future.
