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‘A Day in the Life of a Part Timer’ – A Commentator’s Diary Vol. 2
One or two of you may remember a couple years ago; i wrote a journal like essay of my first ever full card as a fresh faced race caller. It was 2010, i was 18, it was York, it was Harness Racing, it was disastrous. Well some two years later i’m still at it, trying to make it in this crazy World of Racing and after spending the day commentating; i decided to give an "update" on how my work as "progressed". It’s just a little something for fun and i hope one or two of you get a kick out of it.
Editors note; the day in question is Saturday the 3rd of November. You’ll have to excuse my tardiness. Simply hadn’t got round to polishing off and posting the piece. Anyway, enjoy!
8.am and the radio alarm kicks in. ‘Sounds of the Sixties’ on BBC Radio 2… honestly can’t think of a better way to wake up. Actually a female type lying next to me would be a nice touch, but alas I wake up alone. I moved into my own place in May and I simply do not have the time. It’s not very easy finding time to get out and network these days. Working a 40 hour job obviously takes up a great deal of my time. And if I’m not doing that I’m usually doing the weekly shop and if I’m not doing that I’m usually visiting a friend at Uni and if I’m not doing that I’m scaling the Country to visit other friends/family and if I’m not doing that I’m usually at the races and if by some stretch of the imagination i’m not doing any of the above… I’m usually heading to Leeds to commentate the races for Independent Content Services (ICS).
How did I land a gig at ICS? Through the ever helpful hands of Darren Owen and Gareth Topham – the best of the present and the best of the future. While I was still living in Penrith; Darren and Gareth were regular callers at the Appleby Harness racing. A two day fixture led to them spending the night in a hotel in Penrith and they asked if I’d like to join them for dinner (it felt like I was being invited to the BAFTA’s!). Darren asked me how my commentary was going and I was honest; it wasn’t going anywhere. Yeah I had one or two fixtures and was still very new to the game, but business was slow. Darren and Gareth came up with an idea to put my name forward for ICS who were looking for a part time caller to fill in when regulars couldn’t make it. I jumped at the opportunity and 17 months and roughly 9/10 sit in gigs later; here we are.
I grab a shower and kit up before heading downstairs and watching the Morning Line. I don’t care what anyone thinks; I think it’s funny! I’ll have some breakfast and nip to the local garage to grab a Racing Post. They usually have a couple at the studio, but I like to have my own just in case. Besides it’s not a bad thing to have a look through the days racing before setting off. I tell myself every time to thoroughly check through the runners and riders the night before, but I always get distracted! How am I supposed to say no to E4’s ‘New Girl’ marathon? Give me a break!
It’s the first time I’ve been asked back to ICS since Derby Day some 5 months earlier. No particular reason for not being asked in. Just no work to be had. So obviously I’m feeling rusty. Best way to counter mic-rust? Practice. When preparing for a day’s commentary I will usually commentate a full card of races on At The Races either the night or two before the day itself. This comes to invaluable use especially when you’ve been away from it for a while. It gets you prepared vocally and mentally. If you’ve not worked behind a mic for a while and not prepared yourself; it shows. Nearly everything you say lacks confidence and charisma. All it is is one long groan after another. It’s just good sense to do yourself and the listener a favour and have yourself a pipe opener!
At about 10; I jump into the car and set sail for Leeds. What was once the summer sun is no hidden behind thick Autumn clouds, complimented by the rain. I don’t mind the rain. It helps me relax and if anything makes me feel cosy in my green starship (or in other words; my Corolla). Ah and here comes the fun part; driving… in Leeds. Never before have I visited a certain place so many times and still managed to get lost on the way there. Pure… torture. Stress is the last thing you need when you’ve got a job to do and the Leeds road system does nothing to help me. I know several people who live in Leeds and how they tolerate the roads here; I will never know!
I always like to arrive about 40 minute before the first race. If I manage to arrive even earlier then it’s a nice bonus. Most of the guys I work with do this every day, so they usually turn up with about 10 minutes to spare, which is mind boggling! I need to get in there, get to the studio, throw my bag to one side, highlight the meeting(s) I’m covering, go to the loo and get my head round all the computer stuff! I was warned from day one; the commentary is the easiest part. The hardest is working the desk. So many buttons and dials to manage, it can be quite daunting!
Once I have settled in; I check for any none runners and mark off my Racing Post. There are two studio’s; Studio A and Studio B. Studio A takes the races from RacingUK and is usually covered by the full time professionals. Studio B covers At the Races. By no means is it a step down, but on a Saturday it is quite often the case that the main attractions of the day are on the other channel; so I work Studio B whenever I’m in. Just as well; when you’re still learning the ropes; the last thing you need is the pressure of calling the most important race of the day. No matter how many people are listening; it is the most important thing in the World, even if it’s just for 5 minutes. Life, love and money is on the line every time that tape raises and although it is a blast to be the one calling them home… it comes with an enormous amount of pressure.
Then I study. I usually have about 20 minutes left, so I have plenty of time to memorise at least the first 3 or 4 races, depending on whether or not I’m working on my own or with a partner. On this day; Ascot was the only racing on At The Races, so I work alone. Usually how it goes is; X introduces the race and gives a betting update, Y commentates the race and X takes over when the race is finished, giving a sum up, SP’s and uploading a recording of the results to the ICS Database. It can get quite complicated trying to keep up when you have less than 5 minutes between each race, but thankfully I have a full half hour, so I don’t have to rush about and slur my words. Just take it easy and laid back. The way I like it.
About 3 minutes before post time; I go live. I welcome the listeners to the studio and give a quick rundown of what’s to come before concentrating on the first race. Betting updates and a look at one or two of the market principles. I’m not paid to be a pundit; but if you find yourself with half a minute or so before they set off; a little bit of opinion here and there helps fill the time. When you’re on the air; 30 seconds can seem like a lifetime, especially when it’s dead air! The most important thing to do is ensure that you keep talking! It’s a form of radio broadcast and prolonged silence is never acceptable, unless you’re paying tribute.
It’s such a relief to get the first race out of the way. When it’s been as long as it has been since your last studio work; you can fear the worse. So to get out alive and well is a good feeling. I give a sum up and reaction to the action while the SP’s and results are made official. When they are I record the official results and SP’s and shoot the file off to the database for our customers! I then put that recording on loop, so if anyone “tunes” in to catch the latest result; it’s the first thing they hear. One does find, however that listening to the same jargon for 20 odd minutes can drive you to insanity! Now I only have to do it 6 more times and the day is done!
After calling the last race of the card; I do the usual stick and send off the file, however this time I leave a new loop. Ascot may finish the afternoons action, but Santa Anita is hosting the Breeders Cup in 5 hours time! Need to give the listeners a quick run down of what’s going on across the pond and set the tape on loop.
I bid farewell to the gents in Studio A who are finishing up there and head to the car. Thinking back on the days work; I’m relatively pleased. No major cock ups and a really exciting days racing that I’m sure was enjoyed by all! I am particularly pleased with my call of the feature; the United House Gold Cup, won convincingly by Roberto Goldback. Made even more satisfying by the fact that I flagged him up moments before the off. A life of punditry? Well, if my current line of work doesn’t work out; who knows? Certainly wouldn’t sniff at the opportunity!
The roads are much clearer on the way home and the setting sun makes for a very peaceful ride. I’m home by about 6ish, so it’s an 8 hour day! Don’t tell me commentators don’t work full time hours! I’m knackered, but the night is still young. What to do with myself? I suppose I could go out with the lads and chase some ladies… but I’ve just had a good idea for a topic for the Racing Forum. Like I said earlier… I simply don’t have the time.
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