Best Racecaller in New Zealand

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How would you like being a race caller in Central Qld. There's a breeder there who names all his horses starting with "Mishani". One day he had 5 horses in a maiden. Mishani This, Mishani That, Mishani Hat, Mishani Coat, Mishani Scarf (or names to that effect if you get my drift?). I think the Commentator would be entitled to make a blue - and be forgiven under those circumstances eh? There's another in Tasmania that has a number of horses starting with Gee Gees. You know, Gee Gees handle, Gee Gees Winner, Gee Gees Haircut etc (or names to that effect).  I think those instances we should cut some slack to the poor commentator. But in a Group 1 race, where horses are well known, I think we expect a bit more and not have a commentator calling the wrong horse over the line or not mentioning a horse at all during the race. It happens to the best. Bert Bryant (one of the best) missed Medeci in front of the Melbourne Cup field and stammered for about 800 metres trying to remember the name. In a later interview he said his mind went totally blank and rather than go back thru the field, he stayed with "the rotten unforgettable beast - to my eternal embarrassment !". It does happen. 

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19 hours ago, Midget said:

In my opinion,the 2 most underrated are Bruce Sherwin and Jason Teaz. They are very accurate and when you are listening on the radio, they tell you where your horse/s are positioned in a race which you can then visualize in your head. 

Bruce sherwin is an excellant  race broadcaster , very much sounds like david raphael , or he may of learnt from him,not sure, but he knows how to call a race, and what is expected, i guess it comes from his time off shore , gambling ,and his clear knowledge of race horses, we are lucky to have him from time to time, would like to hear him more,jason teaz is another , there  are three or five race broadcasters at the moment who know there stuff, and not shy in putting there tips on the line,thats what i like, they have a go, course you cant get it right all the time , surely you woulnt expect them too, thats gambling,its very hard following form,there are so many races , so its good hearing those tips that sometimes come off , cross has a go, and can call a race , i like him because he has good intentions, we all no that other peoples tips loose from time to times, but there are tips you can back up on, perhaps double up on if you like, you no at some time they win, so i say good on them,,, mark mac , cross , teaze ,sherwin , i like them, like jockeys and drivers , sometimes you get something wrong. for me personally i dont like callers like arron white, to hear the nic names of drivers constantly throughout a race gets up my nose, for me he needs to just call the race , yes dont mind hearing drivers names from time to time, but white has this thing about wizzards , magic man , it goes on and on if you get my drift, i just like to hear the race.

Have a good day guys.

[TOM(the other Molloy) 1,774]

1 hour ago, Trump said:

How would you like being a race caller in Central Qld. There's a breeder there who names all his horses starting with "Mishani". One day he had 5 horses in a maiden. Mishani This, Mishani That, Mishani Hat, Mishani Coat, Mishani Scarf (or names to that effect if you get my drift?). I think the Commentator would be entitled to make a blue - and be forgiven under those circumstances eh? There's another in Tasmania that has a number of horses starting with Gee Gees. You know, Gee Gees handle, Gee Gees Winner, Gee Gees Haircut etc (or names to that effect).  I think those instances we should cut some slack to the poor commentator. But in a Group 1 race, where horses are well known, I think we expect a bit more and not have a commentator calling the wrong horse over the line or not mentioning a horse at all during the race. It happens to the best. Bert Bryant (one of the best) missed Medeci in front of the Melbourne Cup field and stammered for about 800 metres trying to remember the name. In a later interview he said his mind went totally blank and rather than go back thru the field, he stayed with "the rotten unforgettable beast - to my eternal embarrassment !". It does happen. 

 

There is that 'Craiglea' mob in Rockhampton as well isn't there?  They had 7 in a race one day and 6 started with 'Craiglea'

Poor old Reon called Burletta Quite Regal all the way down the straight and to win in the 1000 Guineas in 1983.  Similar colours but if you were the Quite Regal owners listening on the radio you would have been quite excited I imagine.

Must be mortifying for the Commentators to make such mistakes (but entirely forgivable).

 

[chelseacol 2,488]

3 minutes ago, TOM(the other Molloy) said:

Poor old Reon called Burletta Quite Regal all the way down the straight and to win in the 1000 Guineas in 1983.  Similar colours but if you were the Quite Regal owners listening on the radio you would have been quite excited I imagine.

Must be mortifying for the Commentators to make such mistakes (but entirely forgivable).

 

Yes I was on course that day - most of these guys set themselves very high standards so it would have been tough. One of those jobs where its inevitable bearing in mind the challenges

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9 minutes ago, TOM(the other Molloy) said:

 

There is that 'Craiglea' mob in Rockhampton as well isn't there?  They had 7 in a race one day and 6 started with 'Craiglea'

Poor old Reon called Burletta Quite Regal all the way down the straight and to win in the 1000 Guineas in 1983.  Similar colours but if you were the Quite Regal owners listening on the radio you would have been quite excited I imagine.

Must be mortifying for the Commentators to make such mistakes (but entirely forgivable).

 

Yes, Craiglea Stud have a lot racing. I remember that day when 7 of them were in a race at Rockvegas. Poor commentator - but he called it well.

[chelseacol 2,488]

48 minutes ago, hands down said:

Bruce sherwin is an excellant  race broadcaster , very much sounds like david raphael , or he may of learnt from him,not sure, but he knows how to call a race, and what is expected, i guess it comes from his time off shore , gambling ,and his clear knowledge of race horses, we are lucky to have him from time to time, would like to hear him more,jason teaz is another , there  are three or five race broadcasters at the moment who know there stuff, and not shy in putting there tips on the line,thats what i like, they have a go, course you cant get it right all the time , surely you woulnt expect them too, thats gambling,its very hard following form,there are so many races , so its good hearing those tips that sometimes come off , cross has a go, and can call a race , i like him because he has good intentions, we all no that other peoples tips loose from time to times, but there are tips you can back up on, perhaps double up on if you like, you no at some time they win, so i say good on them,,, mark mac , cross , teaze ,sherwin , i like them, like jockeys and drivers , sometimes you get something wrong. for me personally i dont like callers like arron white, to hear the nic names of drivers constantly throughout a race gets up my nose, for me he needs to just call the race , yes dont mind hearing drivers names from time to time, but white has this thing about wizzards , magic man , it goes on and on if you get my drift, i just like to hear the race.

Have a good day guys.

Good post.

All commentators have their strengths and weaknesses - but some don't adjust their weaknesses (George giving up on leaders and horses on the inside too early, Davey Mac getting tongue tied in the last 100 yeards if a close finsih looms).

Aaron and his driver nicknames is so painful - surely someone has had a quiet word in his ear. For me he gets too involved when one of his tips wins as well and can go on like a pork chop. (Trevor at the greyhounds spends so much time talking about his selections I kind of get a perverse pleasure hearing the bewilderment in his voice when his bet of the day runs down the track )

Tough gig and I do respect them and wish I could do it myself - so my little criticisms come against that background

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15 minutes ago, chelseacol said:

Good post.

All commentators have their strengths and weaknesses - but some don't adjust their weaknesses (George giving up on leaders and horses on the inside too early, Davey Mac getting tongue tied in the last 100 yeards if a close finsih looms).

Aaron and his driver nicknames is so painful - surely someone has had a quiet word in his ear. For me he gets too involved when one of his tips wins as well and can go on like a pork chop. (Trevor at the greyhounds spends so much time talking about his selections I kind of get a perverse pleasure hearing the bewilderment in his voice when his bet of the day runs down the track )

Tough gig and I do respect them and wish I could do it myself - so my little criticisms come against that background

good stuff, the thing about trev , he does no his stuff, but the best thing about him , he does not use the 10x50s, hes all eyes, the worst thing about trev, sometimes he takes his eyes off the finish, he he gets the finish totally wrong without knowing it, until he sees the reply, hard case really, your right , its a job for the unknown, most do it very well ahe,  just on callers , the ones that are calling now dont have that raw ability like reon murtha, and david clarkson , they could see something coming from a hopeless position, these guys dont seem too,although mark mc is almost there , but clarkson and murtha were special. Thanks

[chelseacol 2,488]

3 hours ago, hands down said:

good stuff, the thing about trev , he does no his stuff, but the best thing about him , he does not use the 10x50s, hes all eyes, the worst thing about trev, sometimes he takes his eyes off the finish, he he gets the finish totally wrong without knowing it, until he sees the reply, hard case really, your right , its a job for the unknown, most do it very well ahe,  just on callers , the ones that are calling now dont have that raw ability like reon murtha, and david clarkson , they could see something coming from a hopeless position, these guys dont seem too,although mark mc is almost there , but clarkson and murtha were special. Thanks

You don't need to convert me :-)  Reon the best .

Clarkson was before my time but I know Reon rated him and learnt a lot  - heard a few commentaries so see what he meant.

One thing that always interested me with Trev - dogs (which must be tough bearing in mind colours  give no connection to the dog/stable etc) he gets through the fields ok in a short period of time. Get him at the trotting trials however and his ability to identify a horse name goes out the window. 

As I said tough game ...

 

 

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6 minutes ago, chelseacol said:

You don't need to convert me :-)  Reon the best .

Clarkson was before my time but I know Reon rated him and learnt a lot  - heard a few commentaries so see what he meant.

One thing that always interested me with Trev - dogs (which must be tough bearing in mind colours  give no connection to the dog/stable etc) he gets through the fields ok in a short period of time. Get him at the trotting trials however and his ability to identify a horse name goes out the window. 

As I said tough game ...

 

 

actually your dam right, cant shut him in the dogs, calling trots might be something to do with no 10x50s, not sure if he uses them or not calling the trots , but he is alot slower in the harness, ive never heard him call a gallop race, and ive been watching trev from day 1, since he started, i often chat with him at casino, so i can tell you he has a real racing brain, and is a top guy, who love all codes, and does a real good job, tab use him alot, you might say he is a go to man, never says no.

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15 minutes ago, chelseacol said:

You don't need to convert me :-)  Reon the best .

Clarkson was before my time but I know Reon rated him and learnt a lot  - heard a few commentaries so see what he meant.

One thing that always interested me with Trev - dogs (which must be tough bearing in mind colours  give no connection to the dog/stable etc) he gets through the fields ok in a short period of time. Get him at the trotting trials however and his ability to identify a horse name goes out the window. 

As I said tough game ...

 

 

i can tell you something quite funny, not sure if this guy is alive still, but gorden matheson , he done alot of trots from dunedin through to timaru, i loved him, as i was young guy, but he always called the horses from there numbers, but he had a great voice, but no tv then , he made alot of mistakes , so radio only, he was fantastic in a way of entertainment, you would of lived him,everthing he called , say something lead, it was by two lengthe, then another two lengths to the next, and so on, you get my drift, it was in the alias armbro , scotch tar , and one of beven herons , cant quite remember. but it was great looking back, some guys on here will remember.

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9 minutes ago, Flagship uberalles said:

Always wondered why trev didn't get the calling gig after reon retired sounds just like him.....as for race callers i never really enjoyed listening to any of the radio pacific race callers in the 80's, ....2 of my fav callers in the south were lachie Marshall and ian chambers

i can tell you ian chambers owned a hotel on the coast , he now lives in granity i think, i loved him too, he was a great form tipster,especially second day stuff on the coast and nelson .blenheim,i remember when he got the call up in greymouth in the early 1980s, trev always wanted to be reon, but you no how it goes, others around him were just a little bit better, hence the reason he is a go to man, hes always there, bus an all, a great team man you might say, tab use him alot, but trev is a great man , do what ever hes told.

[chelseacol 2,488]

30 minutes ago, Flagship uberalles said:

Always wondered why trev didn't get the calling gig after reon retired sounds just like him.....as for race callers i never really enjoyed listening to any of the radio pacific race callers in the 80's, ....2 of my fav callers in the south were lachie Marshall and ian chambers

horses for courses isn't it. Never warmed to Lachie.

Thought Ian had a great voice. True story follows - bunch of us when we were young fellas did West Coast trot circuit after Xmas. Second day at Westport we were all broke before last couple had been run. Went back to town and got some $ (probably via our GF's in ChCh transferring $ via TAB accounts !). Had a box trifecta on the last race between the group at the TAB. Ian called races over radio and we didn't have one in the first 3. Result came up and we got it !

Few days later we went to Reefton trots on bus trip organised by local pub. On way back after races the bus stopped at a country pub and we were chatting to an older couple who were also on the bus. My mate blurts out how bloody hopeless Chambers is and tells the story above. The older guy says "yeah he's our son"..... 

[chelseacol 2,488]

37 minutes ago, hands down said:

i can tell you something quite funny, not sure if this guy is alive still, but gorden matheson , he done alot of trots from dunedin through to timaru, i loved him, as i was young guy, but he always called the horses from there numbers, but he had a great voice, but no tv then , he made alot of mistakes , so radio only, he was fantastic in a way of entertainment, you would of lived him,everthing he called , say something lead, it was by two lengthe, then another two lengths to the next, and so on, you get my drift, it was in the alias armbro , scotch tar , and one of beven herons , cant quite remember. but it was great looking back, some guys on here will remember.

good stuff - was the Heron horse Nigel Craig ?

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2 minutes ago, chelseacol said:

good stuff - was the Heron horse Nigel Craig ?

yes it was, thanks for that, loved the front heron, shit he could go that horse, alias armbro { glidden } always trailed and seemed to get him, but if you left him alone in front most times he would win, times were academic in those days

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10 minutes ago, chelseacol said:

horses for courses isn't it. Never warmed to Lachie.

Thought Ian had a great voice. True story follows - bunch of us when we were young fellas did West Coast trot circuit after Xmas. Second day at Westport we were all broke before last couple had been run. Went back to town and got some $ (probably via our GF's in ChCh transferring $ via TAB accounts !). Had a box trifecta on the last race between the group at the TAB. Ian called races over radio and we didn't have one in the first 3. Result came up and we got it !

Few days later we went to Reefton trots on bus trip organised by local pub. On way back after races the bus stopped at a country pub and we were chatting to an older couple who were also on the bus. My mate blurts out how bloody hopeless Chambers is and tells the story above. The older guy says "yeah he's our son"..... 

yea bugger, i can tell you, he is a fantastic bloke, love the racing, we all make mistakes, but you would of been happy, ian, trev, love racing, they are just fantastic guys making a living, if you new them you would be impressed , off record they tip like hell, and no everything, its the guys today that wouldnt even give you the time of the day, sorry if that offends

[chelseacol 2,488]

10 minutes ago, hands down said:

yes it was, thanks for that, loved the front heron, shit he could go that horse, alias armbro { glidden } always trailed and seemed to get him, but if you left him alone in front most times he would win, times were academic in those days

NC was very good - sold for big money overseas (for the time) I think

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9 minutes ago, chelseacol said:

NC was very good - sold for big money overseas (for the time) I think

i think your right ,something to do with jack sominiski team, ryder i think, he was active in those days with over seas stuff

[bloke 1,232]

I recall way back Jack O'Donnell calling at Tauherenikau. He was very  good and in the same mould as Peter Kelly

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yes he did, he called every meet at christmas

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16 minutes ago, bloke said:

I recall way back Jack O'Donnell calling at Tauherenikau. He was very  good and in the same mould as Peter Kelly

he won lotto in hokitika some years ago, left that town over night and joined up with the butt stable, had a lot of very good trotters, won the rowe cup i think , jack was a real coaster, his brother works at whites  real estate on greymouth, fantastic family , and boy he had the voice, a great caller, he died couple years back, rip jack i say

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11 minutes ago, hands down said:

yes he did, he called every meet at christmas

jack was like ian chambers, only done the coast, nelson and blenheim, but for ever reason, he done the waiarapa at christmas

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alan bright had a son , i no he worked at trackside front desk for a while , he was very good, not sure why he isnt there now, can only speculate, but did see him on a mcdonalds add running round the block.

[Ohokaman 5,850]

7 minutes ago, hands down said:

alan bright had a son , i no he worked at trackside front desk for a while , he was very good, not sure why he isnt there now, can only speculate, but did see him on a mcdonalds add running round the block.

That would be Johnny Notso Bright....who was sacked for selling videos on the side.

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reon murtha , david clarkson were the very best, i go to the races just to hear them,but for mine peter kelly was the best ever race caller in the history of calling races, he just done everything  100%, i never seen him in the flesh, but i did wait for jack odonnel to come out at blenheim, wasnt he fantastic , i loved jack,, his fav saying was the only certanity was its sure to be a photo, now talking of phots, trevor perry who was involved with his brother nigel, used to do photo finish at blenheim, trev died during the week, they were fantastic ., rip trev please

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3 minutes ago, Ohokaman said:

That would be Johnny Notso Bright....who was sacked for selling videos on the side.

ok, thought he was ok, i remember he called a race at palmy off the screen one nite,