Racecallers paying tribute to pioneer Pat O’Shea at Clifford Park

RACING: The racecaller’s medley has become a staple of Pat O’Shea Plate race day in recent times.

However with the twoyear-old feature moving to Weetwood Handicap day, organisers have thought outside the box to keep the tradition alive.

This Saturday marks five years since the passing of legendary racecaller Pat O’Shea, and Clifford Park will continue the honour this weekend.

Regular Toowoomba caller Anthony Collins will be joined by Downs broadcaster Brett

Moody, Clifford Park late mail expert Ben Hall and Brisbane caller Josh Fleming to form the quartet.

“We’ll have a good night like we normally do,” he said.

“Normally we have a big name caller from down south, but we don’t have that capability this year.

“It was a bit of a spur of the moment this year with everything happening. It was originally going to coincide with a prelude meeting, which is something we hope to do next year.

“Each of us will call a quarter of the race, and we encourage people to come out and make a night of it.”

O’Shea enjoyed an illustrious career as the voice of Clifford Park for more than 30 years, including calling 29 editions of the Weetwood.

Being able to hold the fort has a special significance for Collins, who said O’Shea was an idol to him growing up as an aspiring caller.

“Not too many people do get to stand in the shoes of where their boyhood idol used to stand,” he said.

“There’s kids that grew up wanting to be Michael Jackson or John Wayne, but didn’t get there. I certainly did, that’s for sure.”

The racecaller’s medley race will be determined after final acceptances are declared today for the meeting.