Where are they now???

[The Form Student]

Would like to start a thread to find out what has happened to certain "characters" from harness racing are doing now?

Has anyone seen "Parramatta Tony", I have not been to a meeting in a while, so I don't know if he is still going? Can anyone update?

[The Form Student]

What about "Mad Mark", he often was seen at Harold Park not wearing a shirt..........He would say "you have taken everything else, you may as well take my shirt as well"
His most famous incident was when Cecil Devine "slaughtered" Lord Module at Harold Park, and Mark climbed up on top of the old tote building and said "come on punters let's storm the birdcage"
He was often seen on a soapbox down at the "domain" giving a speech about the world!

Anybody seen him?

[Triple V]

One always stuck in my mind. There was a (relatively) young fella out there, can't remember his name...a pretty big & burly type, he used to cup one hand over an ear and call various ID & assorted big race clashes from years past.
Those assembled would hang on his every word and cheer at the appropriate moments as the titans of years gone by stepped out to battle once again. One night I was out there & old mate was there, giving it his all as he called a titanic battle, culminating in Harry Hazelwood's horse, Golden Alley & Henry Pullen surging to the line. Great stuff. The bloke didn't have both oars in the water of course but he sure was a very, very good race caller.

[The Form Student]

I know who you mean, I think he was called "Freddy". "Parramatta Tony" was also a great greyhound race caller, only one problem the same greyhound came from last to win everytime - his name "Ragsie", and that's what he used to do!!! he was a great greyhound.

[broncobrad]

Was at Forbes one saturday arvo and I think Bill Palmer was doing the calling. All was going swimmingly until the field rounded the home corner and charged for home.
The PA suddenly gave out and in the deathly silence a wag in the crowd at the top of his voice yelled "AND HERE COMES HARRYS BOY". Guffaws of delight as the crowd broke out in laughter. Don't remember the winner, but will never forget that moment. Guess you had to be there.

[The Form Student]

Was at Forbes one saturday arvo and I think Bill Palmer was doing the calling. All was going swimmingly until the field rounded the home corner and charged for home.
The PA suddenly gave out and in the deathly silence a wag in the crowd at the top of his voice yelled "AND HERE COMES HARRYS BOY". Guffaws of delight as the crowd broke out in laughter. Don't remember the winner, but will never forget that moment. Guess you had to be there.

Hey Brad, I heard on the grapevine that HRNSW are thinking of opening a track at Maclean.........they have even earmarked a location......you know when you are coming into Maclean from the south on the Pacific Hwy, before the bridge...........you know where you have to do the big loop to go to Yamba...........right in the middle there!!........how do reckon it will go?

[Danno]

Hey Brad, I heard on the grapevine that HRNSW are thinking of opening a track at Maclean.........they have even earmarked a location......you know when you are coming into Maclean from the south on the Pacific Hwy, before the bridge...........you know where you have to do the big loop to go to Yamba...........right in the middle there!!........how do reckon it will go?

I'd love to see the business plan for that!!!

[The Form Student]

The Hunter Valley is as far north as trotting goes along the north coast, I think Port Macquarie Harness Racing Club sounds good.... only problem is it is too far away from the "Mecca" at Menangle.....and Hunter Valley trotting does not have enough meetings...........there are always full fields with the same horses going around week after week, unless it is a carnival meeting.......even the horses all know each other!

[broncobrad]

Hey Brad, I heard on the grapevine that HRNSW are thinking of opening a track at Maclean.........they have even earmarked a location......you know when you are coming into Maclean from the south on the Pacific Hwy, before the bridge...........you know where you have to do the big loop to go to Yamba...........right in the middle there!!........how do reckon it will go?

Its called the clover leaf which the RMS is currently trying to floodproof. I'll pass your comments on to the relevant authoritys but for now the only tracks I get to these days are the G. Coast and AP and thats only every now and then.

[kaybee]

What about "Mad Mark", he often was seen at Harold Park not wearing a shirt..........He would say "you have taken everything else, you may as well take my shirt as well"
His most famous incident was when Cecil Devine "slaughtered" Lord Module at Harold Park, and Mark climbed up on top of the old tote building and said "come on punters let's storm the birdcage"
He was often seen on a soapbox down at the "domain" giving a speech about the world!

Anybody seen him?

Yes lives in Perth now and funny thing is he was a maniac on caourse but a nice bloke to have abeer with at the pub.