Mystery man race-caller Ric McIntosh doesn’t mix words calling the action at the Bool
- 1 HOUR AGO MAY 05, 2015
IF Ric McIntosh is not Australia’s best caller, he’s certainly our most enthusiastic.
Largely unheralded outside thoroughbred racing circles, McIntosh is an ornament to the historic Warrnambool Racing Carnival (May 5-7) and not to be missed during the three-day 33-race event.
That’s if his voice holds up.
McIntosh got off to a flyer in Tuesday’s opening race — a Maiden Hurdle over 3200m — when local trainer Darren Weir kickstarted a treble with short-priced favourite Now And Zen.
As the six-year-old gelding — making his jumps debut — reeled in his rivals at the bend, McIntosh unleashed an equally powerful turn of phrase: “Can he (Weir) kick the carnival off … YES HE CAN!
“I don’t need to say go hard or go home, cos the carnival king Weir he never goes home but he goes hard and so does his horses,” McIntosh said as Now And Zen romped to a four-length victory.
McIntosh set the scene in Race 2 as well when another favourite, Beliveau, charged to victory.
“Beliveau went bang $2.40 to $1.90 see you later folks … the favourite backers are having a picnic at the Bool in the early days.”
Darren Weir makes great start
It didn’t end there for McIntosh, who put his vocal chords to the test in Race 5 as another Weir galloper brained his rivals.
“Shakudo went BANG!” he said.
“Shakudo went SEEYA!”.
He was at it again the penultimate race on the card as outsiders Walk This Way and Ovahead circled the field from last and paired off for the winning post.
“Walk This Way walk any way,” McIntosh said.
It’s not the first time the popular race caller has stolen the show with perfectly pitched one-liners.
In 2011, McIntosh even filled in airtime during a two-horse race updating listeners on the football scores.
More recently, McIntosh cheered home Beer Garden, currently a $7 chance in Wednesday’s Galleywood Hurdle (3200m), at Warrnambool.
“I said he was the best bet of the day and he’s only got to jump the last to prove me right,” McIntosh said as Beer Garden motored to a comprehensive victory over the same track and trip.
“They say his owners drink a lot, gee I’d drink a lot too if I owned him, top shelf stuff I reckon.
“The stable call him Boozer, whatever they call him, I call him home.”
Listen to Ric McIntosh’s summary of Now And Zen dominant display in the opening race of the carnival for trainer Darren Weir. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
Originally published as VIDEO: Is this Australia’s best race-caller?
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