MEMORISING COLOURS AND ‘IN SAN FRANCISCO’

Q

How do you train to become a racecaller?

A

I’ve seen plenty of guys who can stand up in front of 300 people and do a phantom call and sound fabulous but when you bring them to the track and they can’t do it. I think you’re either born a caller or you’re not. It’s a myriad of things, being able to memorise colours to a horse’s name and then being able to put a sentence together that makes sense and also have the light, shade and colour to give it a race call.

Q

What would you say the style you developed over 20 years at the Gold Coast was?

A

I wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea because I was probably a bit different. I brought the sayings back in to the game like “sitting as quiet as a church mouse’’. My theory is you have to be accurate and good but you have got to be entertaining because not everyone backs a winner. I’d call a maiden the same as a Prime Minister’s Cup.

Q

What would be some of the trickiest names you came across in your time?

A

‘In San Francisco’ was one. We had a finish one day at Gatton where To The Life Boats won ahead of In San Francisco. There was always a horse or two that was hard to pronounce and it’s amazing how many times owners spelt them incorrectly and yet expected you to get them right. I used to ring the trainer if I was ever unsure of the name.