What is it about race callers that they always have a story or two worth relating?? Think of Keith Haub, George Simon, Reon Murtha ….. Australians John Tapp, our “own” Mark McNamara and to that list I would definitely add John Hunt.
You might say John who?? John Hunt’s second book “The View From The Clouds”, released in late 2014, a biography outlining his thirty two years of race broadcasting. The latter twenty years of this spent as Western Australia’s principal harness racing caller, number one at Gloucester Park. Hunt’s first book was “Princess, The Miss Andretti Story” (Western Australian bred champion sprinter). Hunt has a real passion for the horse as related through the many varied and different insights outlined in the chapters contained in his latest 413 page book.
In his teenage days, he was Western Australia’s top ranked under nineteen tennis player (at ages 16, 17 and 18). Winner of numerous state and interstate titles, however a severe back injury terminated a promising career that he dreamed might one day have taken him to Wimbledon. In the early 1970’s with his good friend Ross OllvIeri (successful WA trainer who worked in NZ late 1980‘s/early 1990’s), on a tennis trip to New Zealand they managed a night at the trots at Hutt Park and a trip to Addington on a day when Robalan was victorious. It would be fair to say that tennis loss was ultimately (harness) racing’s gain.
John Hunt’s CV would contain references to at least the following :
- race commentator over 32 years taking in thoroughbred racing (commencing at Port Hedland in July 1976), harness racing and greyhounds
- principal Western Australian harness racing commentator for two decades (1989 – 2008)
- guest commentator at tracks in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin, Alice Springs and Cairns to Meadowlands, USA
- host of general sports shows over 18 years including Sports Saturday
- recipient of a number of national awards for commentating, including National Meritorious Service Award from Australian Harness Racing Council and prestigious James Brennan Award for services to harness racing
- narrator and producer of several radio, TV and video/DVD documentaries
- radio series “The History of Racing” (52 fifteen minutes programmes) syndicated nationwide
- six episode “Greatest Interdominion Winners” series
- winner of International Harness Racing Video of Year at 1990 World Trotting Conference held in Paris for “A Tribute to Willie, the Village Kid Story”
- author of “Princess, The Miss Andretti Story”
“The View From The Clouds” takes a journey through Hunt’s distinguished broadcasting 
and race commentary career. While horses exhibit a great turn of foot, Hunt has the great turn of phrase and captivates the readers as new stories are revealed and expanded upon. A story teller, in both race calling (privileged to hear at 1989/90 WA Pacing Cup carnival and Inter Dominions of 1996/2004 at Gloucester Park) and in print as his two excellent books attest.
Hunt has a way of revealing plenty about the many champions of the track he witnessed racing and their achievements together with the personalities that were part of their success – owners, trainers, drivers. Stories of champion pacers through four decades as seen by John Hunt, the likes of Mount Eden, Pure Steel, San Simeon, Satinover, Preux Chevalier, Village Kid, Westburn Grant, Jack Morris, Baltic Eagle, The Falcon Strike …. and related personalities are all captured in this book. Most of all though, it is the passion one man has for the noble horse that shines through.
In his farewell speech at Gloucester Park on December 12, 2008, John Hunt was to say “….. for no matter what other enticements, what will lure you here, more than once …. here …. under the stars …is the intrigue, the charm, the tragedy, the triumph, and the bravery born of innocence, of this, the most unique of all animals, called the horse.”
The View From The Clouds is available in e book format (A$9.99) or hardcopy (A$34.95 plus p&p) from www.johnhuntbooks.com. A most worthy addition to any harness racing enthusiast’s literary arsenal.
Peter Craig
21 July 2015
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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