Matt Hill in the Warragul race caller's box on Monday.
MATTHEW Hill, 34, has achieved a great deal in a sport and racing commentary career spanning over 15 years.
Hill is well versed in radio commentating and television hosting, having called a variety of big events including the English Grand National, Golden Slipper, Olympic Games, and French and Australian Open tennis tournaments among a lengthy list of achievements.
So it may have been surprising to many that Matthew popped up behind the microphone at Monday's Warragul trots.
The well-worn surroundings of the Warragul broadcast tower are a long way from the plush working conditions of the world's great sports stadiums, but as a wag in the crowd on Monday noted before Matthew made his return to race broadcasting – "you haven't really made it until you have called the Warragul trots".
Matthew's talent has been snapped up by ABC Radio in Melbourne after a lengthy career as number one gallops caller In Sydney for Sky Racing and Sky Sports Radio.
But, through an acquaintance, his services have been picked up on a casual basis by Harness Racing Victoria around his ABC commitments, when regular trots callers take leave.
Victorian born and bred, Matthew looks forward to visiting some venues he hasn't worked at before, and reacquainting himself with some of the old haunts he plied his trade at as a youngster before heading north to SKY as the John Tapp Scholarship winner in 2000.
Matthew's return to race calling generated much discussion on the day.
Some on social media commented on how other callers "in the wings" might feel about him picking up trots meetings.
As a former radio and TV caller who now watches more races from the couch than he does from the broadcast box, I instead focussed on the promotional opportunity that Matthew's first meeting back provided for the industry, given his profile and familiar voice.
A down to earth, likeable person, Matthew touched on some promotional thoughts and ideas that could be of benefit to our sport.
I for one look forward to hearing those ideas that the voice of experience might have based on his extensive overseas knowledge.
