TAB cuts popular race caller
The voice of Southland racing has been silenced.
After 44 years of calling Southland horse and greyhound races Dave McDonald was informed by the TAB on Monday that his services would no longer be needed.
The TAB is cutting $10 million in costs with a proposal to reduce its staffing by 30 per cent.
McDonald, who was a contractor to the TAB, confirmed he had been advised on Monday that he was one of the people being let go.
Southland’s harness, gallops, and greyhound codes are expected to be commentated by Dunedin-based Justin Evans in the future.
For McDonald, the race commentary had not only helped provide him with a livelihood but it was also his passion.
In 2016 his efforts for racing was honoured when he was awarded the Service to Sport Award at the Southland Sports Awards.
He acknowledged Monday’s news was difficult to receive, although he was humbled by the constant flow of text messages of support from the Southland racing community since.
Long-time harness trainer and driver Gordon Lee said Southland racing won’t be the same without McDonald calling the races.
‘‘He’s a personality. When you go to the races you expect Dave to be there. He also knows everybody in the industry, so he brings that personal touch,’’ Lee said.
Like many industries at the moment, Lee said racing was in for a major shakeup and he wasn’t surprised changes were already happening.
‘‘I probably was surprised about Dave though,’’ he said.
Gallop South chairman Peter Grant said it was sad that McDonald was finishing up, given he was such a popular person in the industry.
Grant said racing was in for some big changes and McDonald’s situation highlighted that.
In 2016 when McDonald celebrated 40 years behind the microphone he estimated he had called 35,000 races over the years.
McDonald started by calling at a harness meeting and didn’t have to wait long before debuting at a gallops fixture at Tapanui.
Tapanui Racing Club past president Nikki Blatch said while McDonald was ‘‘a bloody good commentator’’ he had also done a lot to help promote racing.
It included allowing people into the commentary box to see what he does, Blatch said.
‘‘He’s done a lot of good for racing. We knew there are changes afoot, but we thought it might have started at the top rather than someone like Dave who’s done so much [for racing].
‘‘There is a feeling it is a bit top-heavy.’’
‘‘He’s a personality. When you go to the races you expect Dave to be there. He also knows everybody in the industry, so he brings that personal touch.’’
Gordon Lee, trainer