WINNO'S SIXTY SECONDS WITH ... ANTHONY COLLINS

By Darren Winningham with Anthony Collins | Wednesday, January 25, 2017

What is your role in racing?

Horse Race Caller.

Do you have a nickname?

Phil Collins.

How long have you been race calling?

Professionally four years – otherwise 14 years. I am a Warwick boy and started calling pacing races at Rocklea (2006) and before that was calling some barrier trials with the trots (2003).

What’s your role at Sky?

I am resident track caller at Toowoomba and I call all over the Northern Rivers NSW race tracks.

Your fondest memory of calling?

There are two of them. My first Ramornie Handicap at Grafton 2016 – the winner was Smart Volatility – from Hong Kong now trained in NSW. I declared it at $30 and I called it as the winner by a nose from Big Money – there was a nostril in it!

Secondly, the Pat O’Shea Plate at Toowoomba this year taken out by Pure Luck – for sentimental reasons.

Best thing you like about your work?

It’s not like having a job. Race calling is a passion. It is like no other job, when you are at work the work is intense, it is not hard labour. When your work is your passion you never work a day in your life.

What do you do when you cannot sleep?

I think about things. I think about racing – I am a racing administrator in Queensland and I have a passion for it.

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

I start around 5am when I work – on days when I do not work I sleep in and get out of bed around 9am.

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

To the sound of singing birds.

A memorable horse you have called?

That is a hard question. I was impressed with Honey Toast when it won the Toowoomba Cup (2016). It was a local horse and won by about six lengths. It took over on the home turn and as I lifted my tone the crowd went with me. So for 400metres the crowd went wild and loud and I went as loud as I could go!

What was the turning point in your career?

When I took over Northern Rivers for Sky – around 4 years ago.

What are you always late for?

Seeing my girlfriend.

If you are not race calling what would you do?

Drive trotters.

If you could change careers tomorrow what would you do?

I would be a Vet.

What is your favourite music?

I love the 1980s music.

What is your favourite musician?

Slim Dusty.

What is the most embarrassing song on your phone?

Crocodile Roll by John Williamson.

What is your favourite gadget?

My binocular stand.

What would you chose as your last meal?

A good T-bone steak or fish and chips.

Name one person who you want to have dinner with?

Pat O’Shea – I never got to have a feed with him.

Name one thing you could not live without?

Oxygen.

What is your greatest fear?

Forgetting a horses name.

One of your favourite places to be?

At the race course.

NRL/AFL favourite team?

NRL – Brisbane Broncos – and what is that other game ...

State of Origin time – NSW or QLD?

Queensland – oh please, I bleed maroon.

Who do you talk to most on the phone?

My girlfriend – Stacey.

What are you grateful for every day?

My health.

What do you like to put on a sandwich?

Don’t often eat them – but I love bread and butter with Smith Crisps (the Original ones).

What toppings do you like on your pizza?

Meatlovers – you have to go to a proper Pizza joint as well – not those fast food ones – Romano’s at Toowoomba is real good.

How do you define success?

Doing something that you like to do!

Who is you man crush?

No man crush.

Tell us something that may surprise us about you?

I breed chooks .

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

Chicken Schnitzel and a beer.

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