Dave McDonald as been commentating in Otago and Southland for 43 years.
Davey Mac, iconic deep south commentator, looks on the bright side of shock job loss
By Barry Lichter • 11 May 2020
Davey Mac, the voice of the south, reckons there might be a silver lining to the terrible news he was given today that after 43 years of race calling, he is no longer required.
McDonald, 65, says that after so many years of not being able to punt on the job he’ll now be able to enjoy having a bet.
“I’m not a bad tipster so I reckon I’ll be backing them myself now.”
McDonald has been the voice of racing in the deep south since he called his first gallops meeting at Tapanui in 1976.
In that time he believes he would have called close to 40,000 races, and has been a much followed caller of all three codes.
Easily the most experienced of the commentators singled out by the TAB to lose their jobs in a 30% cost-cutting exercise, McDonald was feted by the TAB when he reached a 40-year milestone in September, 2016. The New Zealand Racing Board made a special presentation to McDonald in the birdcage.
McDonald admits while he knew he was in danger as a contractor rather than a salaried employee, it still came as a shot when media personnel manager Michelle Pickles broke the news.
“Such is life. But I reckon there’s a bit of life in me yet and I’ll still call at the trials down here.”
McDonald says he’s also open to filling in, work which Pickles said she would try to organise with the bosses so there’s still a slight chance we’ll get to hear more horses “running them into the kitty litter.”
McDonald said without doubt his most lasting memory of his career in the commentators’ box would be all the wonderful people he had met along the way.
He had plenty of highs but some lows as well.
In the 1990s he interviewed international model Rachel Hunter and music star Rod Stewart at a Wingatui.
But he also called the races that jockeys Sam McRae (Riverton, 2005) and Ashlee Mundy (Kurow, 2012) died in.
“It was tough. I felt like going home but I had to keep going,” McDonald told Southland racing writer Jamie Searle.
More news in Harness
Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
Leo poised to roar again - he looks a ratings special at Cambridge on Thursday night
Pole goes on The Night Fox - now he just needs a little luck from a niggly draw on Friday night
$10,000 weanling Johnny Lincoln surprises again with fifth win over white hot blue blood
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.55pm
“Frank drove a nice race on her last time, doing a bit of work early before leading and trailing, but I think the result might have been different if she’d led all the way. She has no speed, she’s better in front and rolling, so this week we’ll tell Frank to go forward and to not hand up and hopefully she can go one better.”
Race 4: The Night Fox
6.56pm
“He got KOed last time at Auckland but Harry said he felt like he could have won with a decent draw so we’ll just put that race behind us. I wouldn’t say this field is any harder. We’ve got a bad draw again but it depends on how the race pans out. I think he can still win.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.58pm
“He’s doing a good job, and he ran home well last time at Cambridge, but Leo Lincoln is definitely the pick of ours.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.58pm
“He’ll strip a lot fitter and I think he’s a good winning chance. He’s been racing open class horses and this is a huge drop back for him.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.06pm
“I’m not holding my breath. She beat a poor bunch at Cambridge and will have to step up here.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
5.45pm
“Given the right trip, she should finish off not too bad as she has a bit of speed but, after two runs back, she needs to improve.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s only little but she trialled super and got home in 2:00.6 mile rate. If she repeats that, she’ll be in the fray. It’s early days yet but she’s a nice, tractable filly who has drawn well in two and, based on that one trial, you’d have to give her a chance. Whether she improves off it, we’ll see.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.34pm
“I don’t think any of the others stand over her. She’s a tough mare who has trained on well. I’d love to see her in front, she’s proven that’s where she goes best, but whether she’ll get there from four is debatable. But I’m sure she’ll go another good race.”
