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Letter of the Week

Thanks for the memories

Your Say is a rich source of racing memories as contributors recall great horses and personalities of the past, causing readers to go down memory lane. 
When I was 14, my 18-year-old brother took me to my first race meeting. As we roared across dusty Mallee roads in his ute, he informed me that I would definitely win money as there was an adage that all racegoers won at their first race meeting. 
His prediction seemed very unlikely, until late in the day when our local baker sidled alongside, and told me to have everything on a particular horse, which he owned, in the last race in Melbourne.
I did and it duly won at 10/1.
When my brother handed me the winnings I had never seen so much money in my life and I thought, “Jeez, how easy is this!”
Experiences over the next years somewhat tempered my enthusiasm for betting, and since that day like all hobby punters I’ve had my good days, very good days and unfortunately bad days and very bad days.
Although wagering on horses has always remained an interest I believe my greatest pleasure was being involved in a sport that boasted so many outstanding people who were champions in their particular field of racing and who kept us entertained with their sense of fun.
I clearly remember the legendary racecaller Ken Howard lamenting at the end of a day when every favourite was soundly beaten: “Well, it’s been disastrous for punters at Rosehill today. But don’t worry, ladies and gentlemen, they’re on again next week.”
The unforgettable Bart Cummings and Tommy Smith were always ready with well thought-out quips.
As recalled recently in Winning Post, Bart was being interviewed about the ability of one of his Melbourne Cup runners by an overzealous reporter and simply replied that if it could gallop as fast as the reporter could talk, it was a certainty.
Tommy was once told by an interviewer how disappointed he must be that his horse John’s Hope had drawn such a wide barrier in the 1971 Golden Slipper. 
Tommy looked at the interviewer and, with a mischievous grin, replied “No, I’m not at all disappointed — 14’s his favourite number.” (Need I say it, John’s Hope won.)
Few of my age group could ever forget Bert Bryant and Bill Collins, who entertained and amused us with their accurate descriptions of races often punctuated with light-hearted humour.
Bill once gave the definition of a pessimist as an optimist coming home from the races. 
Both of them clearly described how your horse was faring during a race and both had a genuine empathy with punters.
Because of political correctness most of today’s callers are too serious and their descriptions lack energy and colour. 
Jack Styring with his distinctive voice was a legend at country races and on-course punters relished his calls. 
Once I was in a corner store when a man entered and asked for some milk. I thought to myself, “He must be Jack Stryring,” and when I asked him he replied yes. 
He gave me his autograph and was highly amused that one so young had recognised him by his voice.
Sadly over the last few years we have lost many of these characters who helped shape this great sport.
I am grateful that I have witnessed the careers of so many of these people who shared their talents with us.

Chalky
Swan Hill
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