A familiar face will be missing from the barriers at Warrnambool meetings with clerk of the course Ray Walsh announcing his retirement after 37 years.
Walsh’s decision was hastened by a fall at last week’s Warrnambool meeting. The 76-year-old came off his pony when it became entangled with a runner on the way to the barriers. Walsh suffered bad bruising but says the accident could have been a lot worse.
“I’d been thinking for a while about giving the clerking away but the accident speeded up my retirement plans,” Walsh said. 
“I was lucky that I only suffered a bit of bruising but I was sore for a few days. 
“I just think the time is right to retire. My age has caught up with me when it comes to the clerking job. It can be a bit dangerous and you’ve got to be on your toes all the time. 
“I loved doing the job and I know I’m going to miss it.”
Walsh acknowledged his work colleagues and Racing Victoria for their support. 
“I’ve been very lucky to have worked with some wonderful horsemen, in particular Leo Dwyer, who retired a few years ago,” he said. 
“Leo was excellent at his job. He taught me so much about clerking and horses. On top of that he’s just a wonderful person. His children Eddie, Anne and Janet, who I’ve worked with, have also offered me great support in the job.”
Walsh says he’ll miss the friendly banter between jockeys and race officials, in particular over Warrnambool’s famous May racing carnival.
“I know now I’ll miss working at the carnival,” he said. “There’s always a real buzz around. It’s a great time. There’s always something going on. 
“I’d say working on the Grand Annual Steeplechase was one of my work highlights — you just don’t know what’s going to happen from one minute to the next. 
“I’ve been lucky to have made so many friends in my time in racing.”
Last week’s injury isn’t Walsh’s first. In 2014 he was kicked in the shin three times by an unruly horse on the way to the barriers at Warrnambool and had an enforced time on the sidelines.
“I didn’t think I’d come back after the accident in 2014,” he said. “It took a long time to get right. 
“I was lucky to have my sister Margaret Williams there to help me. She’s always been there to support me over the years, a wonderful backstop.”
Mel, Nell stun punters
Warrnambool jockey Melissa Julius was a cash machine for her followers last week.
In 10 rides from last Monday week’s Warrnambool meeting to last Friday at Coleraine, she booted home three winners including two for Wombelano-based trainer Nell Carter — Hill Cry ($51) at Warrnambool and Mangione ($61) in the Coleraine Cup.
Julius also celebrated her birthday during the week.
Tough break for Luke
Veteran Warrnambool jockey Luke Williams faces an extended time on the sidelines following a race fall at the Coleraine Cup meeting. 
Williams, who holds a dual jockey-trainer licence, suffered injuries to his forearm and ankle as well as broken ribs in the fall from Sundaytoofaraway in a maiden plate. 
Fellow jockey Will Gordon also came down in the fall but was allowed to resume riding.