As we move into winter, so are our spirits dampened by the loss of yet another high profile trainer/driver whose career spanned over five decades and two states when trots/harness racing drew large crowds to the course, and “corporate” bookmaking was unknown. Ronny McCall was the man, and his career commenced on the long defunct track at Katoomba, in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, where he drove his first winner, Dusty Doolan, taking out the Katoomba Cup, with top drivers Merv Adams and Frank Donohoe , driving the placegetters. Training first at Fairfield and moving to Riverstone in 1967 for Ron Croghan, where horses of the calibre of Lumber King, Mister Fallacy, Bachelor Kid and Commando occupied the stables, the McCall family moved north to Queensland, training out of “Royal Lodge” at Redcliffe for the “Chicken Kings”, Jack and Bob Ingham. Successes here in the early days included Brushwood Guy, Summer Holiday, Bold Affair and Born To Trot. The McCalls later moved to Deception Bay to go it alone.
As is usually the case ,there is a fog over results across Australia, prior to 1982, when computerised records came into existence. Hence we can only offer reliable statistics from that date forward. Sadly, in the case of men from the era of Ron McCall, who were at their peak in the two decades leading up to 1982, the figures do not reflect the quality of their performance. The Queensland stats are , total starters as a trainer 1870, winners 104, placings 327 for a total of $237,655. His last winner as a trainer, was Corelli, August 31/ 2004. Horses which contributed to the above score included Jacksons First, Tigon, Poker Chip, Able Flyer, Matrix Magic, Power System, Tasman Power, Guiseppe and Cam Left..
(Image of Ron McCall)
When Dad first started driving the drivers had to be 10 stone, I think Dad was about six so he’d line his pockets with stones to get his weight up,” older daughter, Sharon Furey said. “He was a great driver and because he was very light, the horses would run for him. He was also very astute. Dad knew the form of every horse and driver in every race,” she added.
His daughter said Mr McCall drove a lot for Ronnie Wanless back then. “Actually, Mum Beryl, and Dad received a Pegasus Award from Racing Queensland many years ago for their contribution to harness racing. “Of their five children, four of us have all been trainers and drivers at different stages. Brian and I both represented Queensland twice in the Junior Drivers Championship. “My older brother, Darren worked in America for Ross Croghan for four years, and then moved to Canada for eight years with his wife Karina, where they trained a bunch of top class winners. This included Camelot Hall, winner of the $1.1 million Metro Pace , two Breeders Crowns and the world’s fastest mare to that time, Carolina Sunshine( 1:48.4) Darren has returned to Queensland after a stint at Menangle in NSW and is preparing a handy team.
You will have determined by this that Ronny McCall had but two loves in his life No kids had better parents than Ron and Beryl McCall.. Incredibly, there was enough of that family love to spill over into their dealings with friends. Always a kind and encouraging word, sometimes a thousand words. The horses were their worthy Ambassadors on the race track. Ronny and Beryl McCall live on, mirrored in their kids. If there is a Heaven. Ronny and Beryl will be in it.
(the above is a composite of valuable contributions from Sharon Furey (daughter) Peter Collier –Historian in residence at Menangle NSW – Duane Ranger, harness journalist, and Brett Rail –handicapper Racing Queensland.) images Katoomba second place at first race drive..
One for the fridge door in big letters. Sunday, July 10th at Marburg. This will be Marburg’s slot in the upcoming “Constellation’s” Carnival, and the ultimate decision makers in all matters racing in the Sunshine State, the Board of Racing Queensland, accompanied by the Minister for Racing, Grace Grace, plus representatives of Albion Park and Redcliffe, will be coming along to see how your local Club presents Harness Racing. The Marburg Pacing Association is looking at something in the order of Easter Sunday Fun Day minus the chocolate bunnies. Just turn up for a great day’s racing in the Marburg tradition..
Almost! That would be foremost in light weight driver, Taleah Mcmullen’s mind this week as she sits just one win below Superstar Brother Pete’s score for the week. The result six to five. Equal third home was yet another McMullen, Narissa greeting the judge on three occasions, at the same time, dead-heating with her partner Matt Elkins. Another tied result in the training ranks with Chantal Turpin head to head with Peter Greig. Three winners apiece. Most pleasing, Jordan Topping. Give “JT” the horsepower and she generally gets the job done. Another showing similar promise is Amanda Payne. Mainly places at this point but getting there. It all takes time!! Ipswich Factor 27/56..
Resultsville Albion Park 07/06.. Susan Is Her Name. (Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin).. Odins black Crows (Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin).. Global Flight (Narissa McMullen).. For Real Life (Trent Dawson).. Glenledi Commander (Jordan Topping for Ryan Veivers).. Just Rokin (Pete McMullen for Peter Greig).. Mi Furioso Toro (Pete McMullen for Graham Dwyer)..Redcliffe 08/06.. Beef City Blaze (Zac Chappenden for Peter Greig).. Suzukee (Taleah McMullen for Darren Weeks).. Teddy Disco (Nathan Dawson for Shawn Grimsey).. Chasin Dreamz (Angus Garrard for Kay Crone).. Just One Good One (Taleah McMullen for Lacey Hinze).. Albion Park 09/06.. Jet Force (Matt Elkins for Dan Russell).. Redbank molly (Narissa Mcmullen for Steve Cini).. Whata Roller (Taleah Mcmullen for John McMullen).. Timzee (Taleah McMullen for John McMullen).. Albion Park 10/06.. Artistic Saint (Jordan Topping for Ryan Veivers).. Wheres Tascott (Shane Graham for Steve Towns).. Dikberry (Taleah McMullen for Trent Lethaby).. Albion Park 11/06.. Feeling For A Rainbow (Matt Elkins for Dave Russell).. Its Mister Clooney (Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin).. Valkyrie (Narissa McMullen for Matt Elkins).. Wee Man Trouble (Adam sanderson for Shannon Price).. Sporty Dancer (Adam Sanderson for Shannon Price).. Redcliffe 12/06.. Beef City Blaze (Zac Chappenden for Peter Greig).. Rocks Or Diamonds (Justin Elkins for Brian McCall).. Mister Decorum (Pete McMullen for Dale Belford).
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