KEY POINTS:
One of New Zealand sport's most famous voices - and distinguishable names - put the microphone down this week.
West Coaster Reon Murtha has been calling harness and thoroughbred racing for 47 years, and been the voice of Riccarton and Addington in Christchurch - where he now lives
- for more than 35 of those.
Murtha, of Irish descent, flirted with another calling, attending a Catholic seminary in Christchurch in the third form before tearing back to his hometown of Reefton.
His family were enthusiastic racing amateurs, but Murtha had a calling for calling the horses from a young age and turned it into his "dream" career.
A devout Catholic, his broadcasting work includes a community religious programme.
Murtha first worked for Radio New Zealand in a variety of sports roles, and became a fulltime commentator in the 1990s when he followed racing to Radio Pacific.
The 65-year-old ended his commentating career where it started, in Reefton. When we caught up with him, wife Pam answered the phone, and then that familiar voice arrived at just below racing speed ...
What was your first race call?
Reefton, October 8, 1960. I was in the open grandstand, on the front steps, among the crowd. We did that at most racecourses with a microphone strapped to our chest. A Reefton past-president reminded me this week I used to stand on a beer crate. I'd forgotten that.
So, did you nail your first calls?
I can't remember them. I had to record them from that first meeting to submit to radio before I could be allowed to broadcast the next Labour Weekend meeting at Greymouth. The portable tape machine was mechanical - no electricity or batteries. It was spring-loaded and you wound it up - it lasted at the right speed for five minutes. It broke and I was stripping it down trying to fix it as I went along. I managed to record the last three races.
And the rest is history ...
Time for the tips of the trade, Reon. How the heck do commentators identify all those flipping horses?
Hard work, and none of it the night before. As one race finishes, you start working on the next. Years ago we had as many as 48 horses in two division races and the second would start straight after the first had finished. You never look down at the book. Okay, you might cheat and have a quick look, but no, not really. No time. I'm sure it's the way all callers work, although I've never discussed it with them.
A race caller and his binoculars must be best mates. Have you had a trusty pair since the year dot?
I've had three pairs. I started with 7 x 50s for all the Coast racing, but in Christchurch I needed more powerful 12 x 50s for Riccarton and, for the past 20 years, I've had an expensive pair of Zeiss binoculars. They are specialist glasses for the job. When I go as a spectator I've got a pair of 8 x 40s.
Your best calls?
When Hands Down fought back to beat Delightful Lady in the New Zealand Cup. Stanley Rio winning the Interdoms in Brisbane - it was the first win by a New Zealand horse in Australia for a while. Numerous galloping races - Empire Rose winning the New Zealand Cup and Show Gate winning three major races at Riccarton. They were great horses and great occasions and they were all good calls.
Disasters?
Yes, well, the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton in the early 1970s, when I called the wrong horse home first because I confused the colours. It's funny how the brain works but I just knew something was wrong as they came around. I just knew. One of the embarrassing moments of my life. Burletta won but I called Quite Regal or something.
You were quite regal for one call ...
Yes, I was one of two Commonwealth broadcasters chosen to commentate the lead-up when Prince Andrew and Fergie were married in 1986. I was in Edinburgh for the Commonwealth Games doing the swimming. The wedding went world-wide and it was the most nerve-racking call I ever did. I handled it adequately. They asked if we'd ever see a parade like that in New Zealand and I said only for the Ranfurly Shield.
I'm sure all of America just loved that ...
Moving on - how has race calling changed?
Technology and television have changed things but calling hasn't changed much at all. I actually believe it needs to move on. We've still got the cameras following the commentator whereas it needs to be the other way around. The commentator needs to put down the binoculars and follow the monitor, as they do in, say, rugby. I've mentioned this to New Zealand Racing but haven't had any luck.
What's the best horse you've seen?
I'd say Lordship. He raced when there were champs around and defeated Cardigan Bay three out of five. So much ability and courage and he raced when the handicaps were really tough. He won the New Zealand Cup off 42 yards (1966). He might have had an even greater reputation if he'd raced outside of New Zealand. He was a great sire, of course. I've got a soft spot for Christian Cullen. Show Gate and Sunline were brilliant gallopers.
Drivers?
Maurice Holmes and in more recent times Anthony Butt - I'm very impressed by him.
Jockeys?
Bill Broughton was before my time ... I was always a great fan of Grenville Hughes. Lance O'Sullivan may have surpassed them.
Funniest moment?
Quite a few. A hare led the field for a lap at Addington and became an intricate part of the race. Robert Cameron couldn't control a trotter called Mighty Lee one time, and it crashed through the outer corrugated iron fence which opened like a saloon bar door. The horse dropped 8ft down, and the fence just closed behind him like he'd gone through the shutters.
Most emotional moment?
When Lord Module won the Matson free-for-all 25 years ago. The emotion came from the crowd. He had been a bit of a rogue. He had refused to race, been banned from the New Zealand Cup. He'd break up, sit down, took a dislike to racing. He beat great horses in that race - Bonnie's Chance, Gammalite, Armalight, Hands Down. I don't think Delightful Lady was there. The crowd swarmed out of the grandstand as if it was on fire and surrounded the birdcage. I was describing it on radio and choking back the tears. He had let them down so many times but they kept following him. He could do super things.
Finally, Reon ... will you and the trusty 8 x 40s glasses still be heading to the track?
I'll be more selective but, yes, to the important races and the other ones I've loved going to, such as the country meetings.
