WINNO'S SIXTY SECONDS WITH ... JOSH FLEMING

By Darren Winningham with Josh Fleming | Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Josh was coming off a lengthy spell after enjoying a holiday in Canada with his wife Gabrielle. He agreed to take part in HRO’s ‘Winno’s sixty seconds with ...’ at Eagle Farm on Saturday before his race calling commitments. He reminded me that he was in great form on the tip after returning from his spell and bagging five winners at Ipswich the day before! As I was put in my place and not worthy I suggested that we proceed with the questions. I thought I would ask them sloooowly as he is a Queenslander! The banter is over – straight into it!

What is your role in racing?

Horse Race Caller.

Do you have a nickname?

Flemmo.

How long have you been race calling?

Did my first race call in December 1998 – when I was only 14. I am 32 now so I have been doing it for 18 years. I have been with Sky Racing full time for a bit over 13 years now. I lived with my family at Barcaldine in the early days and I called my first full meeting at Longreach. I used to practice in the grandstand and out on the grass to get some experience. Then one day the local caller fell ill and I got my chance.

What’s your role at Sky?

I am resident track caller in South East Queensland.

Who do you look up to as a race caller?

I would not be where I am today without AT. (Ironically – his idol and mentor Alan Thomas was standing just metres away when we did the interview). The two blokes that helped me in my life are AT (Alan Thomas) and John Wallace. John Wallace was a steward in the Western Queensland area where I lived and he got me a start calling Birdsville races. I have been extremely lucky to have people helping and guiding me throughout my career.

Your fondest memory of calling?

The opportunity to move to Brisbane from NSW to call my first Winter Carnival last year. Calling my first Magic Millions at the Gold Coast in 2016 – and calling and seeing Buffering winning on the day. The first Group 1 race that I called was at Warwick Farm. The opportunity to come back home has been great as well.

Best thing you like about your work?

The industry and the people. The job is a challenge, but I love the job. Not everyone gets the opportunity to do the job they have always wanted to do since they were very young and I have been lucky enough to do that. Beyond that It is really all about the people for me. I have met some great people in the industry. I even met my wife, Gabrielle, at a race meeting and my best man at my wedding ... well, we lived next door to him and we have a long history in going to the races together in Western Queensland.

What do you do when you cannot sleep?

Doesn’t really happen very often for me. I try to think positive thoughts and hopefully drift off to sleep.

What time do you get up to start work in the morning?

Depends really what commitments I have. Certainly no 4.00am starts in this line of work. When I was based in NSW I had some early starts with the miles I had to travel, but since coming here I do not have that problem. I suppose it depends on what time we kick off with the previews – but normally I leave home around 9.00am each day.

How do you prefer to be woken up in the morning?

The smell of bacon and eggs cooking and a cup of coffee! You will get me into trouble Winno!

A memorable call?

The meeting we spoke about before really. 2016 Magic Millions Day and the 2016 Stradbroke Day. The first $10 million dollar race day at the Magic Millions and then the first time four Group 1 races on a program in Queensland. I was very lucky to be involved in those days.

Name some horses that are memorable to you as a race caller that you have called?

I would have to say Buffering. I remember calling him as a three year old at Randwick, I was just filling in that day! At that point we really didn’t know how good he was going to be. He is one of the all-time best Queensland horses. I have called Lonhro in a barrier trial and Winx at her first start.

What was the turning point in your career?

When I came back home to Queensland. I was fortunate to fill in whilst in Sydney calling metropolitan races for two months before coming home. Going to Sky at such a young age was a terrific opportunity. I know other blokes that have waited in the wings for a lot longer than that.

What are you always late for?

To pick my wife up - always use the excuse there was traffic or something going on. I was late home yesterday from Ipswich – a pub got in the way!

If you were not a race caller what would do.

Probably would be a courier driver or a train driver. I do a lot of driving and as a kid I always wanted to be a bus or a train driver. I have done that much driving in my job and living in the bush, you just jump behind the wheel and drive and drive.

Hold on, I have a better thought – I would want to be the announcer of the trains at Central Station – next train on platform ten is going to Ipswich or Beenleigh. That is because it combines both my passions of trains and using my voice.

Anything else. If you could change careers tomorrow what would you do?

I remember as a youngster I lived in the hotel environment. I have always thought that maybe I could own and run a pub in the bush.

What is your favourite music?

Country – I was listening to Slim Dusty on the way to the track actually!

What is your favourite musician?

Garth Brooks – and I always wanted to see him perform live.

What is the most embarrassing song on your phone?

Shania Twain songs – my wife downloaded them though!

What is your favourite gadget?

(There was a pause here). My Ipod actually, computers and Ipads really. I need them for work and cannot get by without them!

What would you chose as your last meal?

Chicken Kiev – I love it! By itself actually – you know when you cut into it and the garlic butter sauce oozes everywhere!

Name one person who you want to have dinner with?

Kate Winslet – because she is a glamour!

Name one thing you could not live without?

My wife. I make too many mistakes at home and she points me in the right direction and keeps me in line.

What is your greatest fear?

Spiders - anything with eight legs cannot be good! (I think I will have to get into his broadcast box and place some “Friends” in there for him!)

Name your favourite place you have travelled to?

I just have been to Canada and to be over there and experience my first white xmas was great. The driving through snow and the walking through snow was amazing. We went to a hot spa place and we were outdoors in a hot spa with snowflakes falling on us – it was a once in a life time experience.

NRL/AFL favourite team?

NRL – Brisbane Broncos – the team that will win the competition this year. (I don’t think so Josh!)

State of Origin time – NSW or QLD?

Queensland – you can cut me here and maroon blood will come out!

Who do you talk most to on the phone?

Probably a good mate of mine Larry Lewis, who was my best man at my wedding. We probably talk a couple of times a week and if not on the phone on Facebook – we stir each other up. The other bloke is Luke Marlow. I speak to him often as well – now thinking about it – it is probably a dead heat!

What are you grateful for every day?

Everything – the things that I have got in my life. You hear a lot of stories about people who are not as fortunate as we are. To wake up healthy each day and go and do a job that you love – I am forever grateful for that – not everyone is that lucky.

What item symbolises Australia?

Our flag! Actually talking about going to Canada and America they have flags everyone – sometimes I think we can do more of that. I love looking up and seeing the flag. It shows patriotism for me. If I had a back yard I would be happy to put a flag pole in it and fly the Australian flag!

What do you like to put on a sandwich?

Ham or chicken and lettuce and mayo – I am pretty simple really.

What toppings do you like on your pizza?

Meatlovers!

How do you define success?

Think if you wake up and you’re happy with what you have got in your life. It is hard to measure, everyone is different. I don’t want to be the best at anything as such. If I am happy with the way life is going I think that is successful.

Who is you man crush?

Hugh Jackman – I said this to my wife the other day actually!

Tell us something that may surprise us about you?

I basically only have one eye. I only have one eye – my right eye is really blurry and if I shut my left eye I will be able to see you but you will just be a ball of blurr! Most people call me a “one eyed Bronco supporter” – I suppose it is true in a sense!

If you are down to your last $10 what would you spend it on?

Back whatever you tip my Winno! Only joking, I would probably go to the pub and have two gold schooners!

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