Paul Somerset lands first winner in 40 years!
In recent times we have seen some fresh faces enter the greyhound training ranks in South Australia and on Saturday morning we welcomed back an old face with Seaford resident, Paul Somerset having his first winner in over 40 years. The winning hound was Todd’s Grace who was having her third career start over the Angle Park 342m trip.
Paul may not be known to many but he comes from a greyhound training background with his Grandfather who used to train coursing dogs in Ireland.
“Originally my Grandfather, who was an Irishman, trained coursing dogs. He fell crook so to cheer him on I bought a dog, and he turned out half decent and I trained him to his maiden win and a couple grade 5s, then I gave him to an old trainer, Vern Anderson who was a very good trainer back then.” said Paul Somerset
“Life went on and I was only 20 years old, I didn’t realise how much time was involved back then!”
A possible return has been on Paul’s mind for quite a while, and the choice to get back into it has paid off.
“Over the last 10 years I’ve been contemplating the idea and I am at the age now where I’ve slowed down, the kids have gone. I was looking for something to do, to keep me occupied.”
“I’ve followed the dogs and I thought well I will have a crack and buy one.”
After purchasing a four month old pup from Victoria, Paul brought it inside his house to be reared. When the time came, he went out to Gawler to start her education, but ran into a slight problem.
“I went out to Gawler and the stewards said to me where's your license? I said what license! They said things have changed in 40 years!”
“They put me onto Marty Doyle and let me keep her here as long as I had Marty to mentor me.”
Under the guidance of Marty, Paul has been able to keep working away with his only greyhound (Todd’s Grace), before getting her to the race track. He gives Marty a big credit for the guidance he has shown.
“Marty’s been a massive help to me, because things have changed a lot in 40 years.”
Saturday morning was a huge thrill for Paul, with Todd’s Grace putting together a comprehensive all the way victory, clocking a handy 20.19 to break her maiden.
“Well I wasn’t expecting it because of her first two starts! I knew she could run near enough to 20 dead, because I put her around a couple Tuesdays ago with one of Des’s dogs (Des Denton) and they ran 20.0 something.”
“When she bounced to the front, I thought maybe they would catch her, she’s no rocket but she chases hard.
“I started her at Murray Bridge and she fell out of the boxes which I don’t know why because breaking in she was coming out quite well. Then we went to Gawler and she got tangled up and spat out the back.”
Paul has now got three kennels set up at his property, with a plan to get a couple more pups.
“I’ve got three kennels setup here now”
As for Todd’s Grace, Paul will just take his time with her.
“I’ll be taking it easy with her.”
Well done to Paul on a great return to training!
