Who is your favourite race caller??

[Phoenix]

Who is your favourite race caller who isn't calling the harness these days..

I'm tossing up between Terry Spargo and Brian Markovic..

I also liked Pete Smith (Adelaide), Terry McAuliffe (Adelaide) and David Fowler (QLD)

[bbd]

My favourite isn't in Australia anymore but is in NZ - Mark McNamara

John Hunt from Perth was VERY good. He always conveyed excitement in the race, from a group 1 all the way down to restricted class race in the bush.

[Thomas Johnson]

I do not know who the caller is (sounds like Darin Tikeman or something like that) but when you watch the video online of your Auckland Reactor racing in one of his races (that I will try to load here in a minute), you would have to say that guy is a great caller and an exciting caller. Here in the US the best caller is Ken Warkentin at the Meadowlands.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hSSb6FB7Os

[Neil]

thanks for giving us the best in Mark McNamara :)

[mango]

Hi Neil
I'd have to agree with you there, being from n.s.w i listened to Mark call a lot of races and he would be one of the best. Our loss is your gain.

[Neil]

I do not know who the caller is (sounds like Darin Tikeman or something like that) but when you watch the video online of your Auckland Reactor racing in one of his races (that I will try to load here in a minute), you would have to say that guy is a great caller and an exciting caller. Here in the US the best caller is Ken Warkentin at the Meadowlands.


That called was Darren Tyquin was another Australian caller we "borrowed" who was sadly killed in 2009.

the story is below

http://www.harnesslink.com/www/Article.cgi?ID=71052

[peacheymagic]

I would have to say Reon Murtha was my favourite growing up will never forget Christian Cullen's NZ Cup Call "In a galaxy of stars hes the brightest of them all"

[Thomas Johnson]

Is there a video of that race peacheymagic? Maybe somebody could post one on here so as we can see and hear that Christian Cullen call as that would be interesting. Also I have seen a Christian Cullen colt here in the States a yearling and oh my goodness what a colt! I do not think that there are many here that were bred, a friend of mind said about 20 to 30 on the ground now coming up yearlings next week I think.

[nat]

Have you watched on You Tube "Christian Cullen Story" at the start of part 5 it covers the NZ Cup, Its a shame about his stud career in the US you dont know what you have missed out on I'd take a Cullen over an Art Major or Bettor's Delight

[triplev123]

macca!

[Neil]

Is there a video of that race peacheymagic? Maybe somebody could post one on here so as we can see and hear that Christian Cullen call as that would be interesting. Also I have seen a Christian Cullen colt here in the States a yearling and oh my goodness what a colt! I do not think that there are many here that were bred, a friend of mind said about 20 to 30 on the ground now coming up yearlings next week I think.

It would be great if we can see which ones make it to the yearling sales next year.

[peacheymagic]

Hi Thomas like Nat said the Christian Cullen story on you tube is a great watch which I reccommend you see. I haven't been able to track down a video of his nz cup win but it is on this you tube series. Here is a link to arguably Christian Cullens greatest performance in the 1998 Miracle Mile http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8g1uKQgZXY. Enjoy

[jsday]

There is one Harness Announcer in the World. He is the Michael Jordon of Harness Announcing put him in the hall of fame right now.....the one the only sam mckee

[Don Corleone]

Over the years I have been lucky to listen to many great callers and without a doubt my favourite is Mark McNamara. Due to my hours of employment I have to listen to the majority of races and not get to watch them. Mark is like a artist, he paints a picture of the race for you. Whether it be a $4000 tuesday race or a Group 1, he gives you a precise and accurate discription of not only where your horse is but how it is travelling. I love listening to the callers in Aust, they add a touch of something different to calls. New Zealand used to have some brilliant callers but unfortunately with the exception of Mark, Davey Mac and Aaron White the rest leave a lot to be desired.

[Maorisidol]

Dan Mielecki. The best in Australia. apart from also telling a story describing where every horse is positioned, at the end of every race he gives last 400m and mile rate without fail.
So many other callers in Oz fail to do this even for Group races!

[Phoenix]

Dan Mielecki always gives the lead time and each quarter.

[triplev123]

The calls I always adored, although some people didn't like his style, came from Peter Gilligan. He used to call the races in Tassie and like Macca he always had a bit of background or some tidbit of info to pass on about one or more of the horses in a given race. Over the years he called a number of races that one of our horses was in and he always made it feel like a special occasion even if it was just a bread and butter C0 event. One of Peter's best in my opinon was one afternoon at Mowbray in a very keenly contested 2yo event. There were 10 horses in the race and down the back at about the 800m it seemed as though every driver bar the leader had decided to pull and make a charge towards the front all at the same time. Peter broke from his usual description and shouted "Have a go at this! They've come out everywhere... like Black Snakes in Summer" Another was a day in the middle of Winter when the Fog, Sleet and Rain rolled in from across the back of the track. The visibility was very poor and into the back for the first time the field quickly disappeared. Peter, disgusted with the weather shouted..." Fair dinkum ladies and gentlemen, I'm having a real go here but this is like trying to spot white mice in a snow storm, your guess is as good as mine". Occasionally he was also given to pouring considerable post finishing line scorn what had been on a heavily bet fav. that had disappointed...once going back through the field & upon getting to the distanced fav. stated " Someone better get so and so a saucer of milk... because it's a CAT!" I think Peter had his money on it too. :-)))))

[Phoenix]

Fair dinkum ladies and gentlemen, I'm having a real go here but this is like trying to spot white mice in a snow storm, your guess is as good as mine".

hahahahahah you must have died laughing when you heard this..

The snake one reminds me of David Fowler earlier this year when there was a possum in the commentator's box..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNqQP6oNxG0

[Phoenix]

and of course who can forget Jim Jacques when he lost his voice....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHdapW_utus&feature=related

[Phoenix]

ooops... I should have written.. "and of coarse who can... " LOL

[Phoenix]

well, one thing that we can surely all agree on is that Australian and New Zealander race callers are the best in the world.. and the worst have to be those guys who call the French and Swedish harness races that we get sometimes overnight during the week...

[triplev123]

The BIG thing Dashing Dan does in VIC (which few other callers do) is GIVE THE BREEDING, OWNERSHIP, ETC of the winner shortly after he gives the overall Mile/Mile Rate, recaps the sectionals & maybe a comment or two on the effort. I think that's terrific. In fact it should be mandatory.

[aussiebreno]

The BIG thing Dashing Dan does in VIC (which few other callers do) is GIVE THE BREEDING, OWNERSHIP, ETC of the winner shortly after he gives the overall Mile/Mile Rate, recaps the sectionals & maybe a comment or two on the effort. I think that's terrific. In fact it should be mandatory.
Yeah Dan is good on that but I think its moreso the fact he has the time to do it because he always calling a good meeting whereas at other tracks the callers get cut off before they have time to do that stuff. I know on-track most callers give that info.

[justdoit]

Jack Styring

[Phoenix]

The BIG thing Dashing Dan does in VIC (which few other callers do) is GIVE THE BREEDING, OWNERSHIP, ETC of the winner shortly after he gives the overall Mile/Mile Rate, recaps the sectionals & maybe a comment or two on the effort. I think that's terrific. In fact it should be mandatory.

Kevin Thompson and Fred Hastings regularly give the full info at Sydney Metro meetings.. but then again I get to hear that info because I'm in Sydney. I'm sure those up in Qld for example would hear either Chris Barsby or John Brasch give the same info for their local meetings..

[Flashing Red]

Jimmy Jacques is my favourite - very colourful!

...there's a possum in the box..."!!!