Selwyn Times: October 31, 2017

SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Tuesday October 31 2017 9
Local
News
Now
lands on his feet in Selwyn
Fire rages, homes at risk
Why the Kaikoura Cup?
It’s just once a year, it’s laidback.
It’s the setting with South
Bay in behind and everyone,
whether they follow racing or
not, seems to know Kaikoura
is the place by the blue water. I
spent a lot of time at Bathurst
as a kid so that will always be
special to me as well.
Do you get cup day nerves?
I try to treat it just like any
other race at Addington, even
though it’s not. The adrenaline
is pumping. It’s a case of just
keeping calm and not going off
too early and just calling what
you see. Personally, for me, I
hope I’m happy with the job I
do on the race because it’s a long
12 months to wait for it to come
back around.
Do you own any horses
yourself?
I’ve got three broodmares here.
I own half a broodmare at Rangiora.
I just sold a two-year-old
to Aussie. I’ve got a yearling here
and a trotter down south. So too
many.
What about outside of racing,
what else are you interested in?
I watch a lot of rugby league,
I’m a massive Sharks fan. Also
touch footy on a Tuesday night at
West Melton is always good.
The Cronulla Sharks NRL
title last year would have been a
highlight then?
Yes, I never thought I’d see
the Sharks win a premiership,
so if they never win another one
in my lifetime then I’ve already
seen more than I thought I
would. I’m also lucky with my
job, the hours are pretty flexible
so I get to spend plenty of time
with my kids and mill around at
home. I’m pretty much a homebody,
as my wife Katie and I are
usually home.
You have children? What’s
life like at home?
A boy and a girl. Will turns
five next February and Bronte’s
two and a half. They’ve got a
pony each. There’s four chickens,
two adopted roosters that sneak
in from down the back, two dogs
and a cat.
Was it hard making the
adjustment to living in
Christchurch after moving
from Aussie?
It was pretty good because
the traffic is so much better
over here. I know it can still get
pretty busy in peak times, but
compared to Sydney, it’s a dream
to get around. The weather didn’t
take too much getting used to
because I spent plenty of time
growing up in Bathurst. They’ve
got pretty similar weather
conditions there – it gets cold in
winter and can snow. Over all, I
settled in pretty well and Katie
was the same.
You talk about growing up
near Bathurst. Do you like
motorsports?
No, doesn’t do anything for
me. Although, I don’t mind the
formula one. I’d love to go to the
Monaco Grand Prix, but no, the
V8s don’t do anything for me
whatsoever.
Can you ever see yourself
doing anything else; what’s the
expiry date on a race caller?
As long as we’re doing a good
job, it’s basically when we die
(laughs). When the lungs give up
or when the memory goes because
it’s all done on the memorising
of the colours. While the
brain’s good, the eyes are strong
and you’re calling accurately it’s
your job almost for life.
I’d imagine it’s a job that
requires a lot of research. What
do you do leading up to a race
meeting?
I’ll wander through the stables
before the meeting just in case
anyone gives me a snippet of information.
It might be someone’s
birthday or a pronunciation of a
horse. I’ve usually done my tips
the night before and then it just
comes to memorising the colours
just before each race. Ideally, I
can call the race off memory or
without looking at the race book.
HOMEBODY: McNamara with
his two children Bronte and
Will..
PHOTO: MARTIN HUNTER
What’s your pick for cup day
then?
It’s Lazarus’ to lose. He’s just
too good, he’s the ultimate
professional. His preparation
has been faultless. Heaven Rocks
looks like he could have been a
danger but he’s just too goofy.
Any other picks for the week?
I hope Te Akau Shark takes
out the 2000 Guineas on the
first day at Riccarton because it’s
part owned by Cronulla Sharks
captain Paul Gallen. I try not to
have too many favourites but I’ll
definitely be cheering for him.
That must a busy week for
you. Do you get much sleep?
It’s manic, especially from the
Tuesday to the Saturday. You call
Addington, go home and go to
bed, get up and look at the field
for Riccarton on Wednesday,
call that, go to bed, then get up
and go to Ashburton on the
Thursday. It’s the same routine
for Addington on Friday and
then it’s Riccarton on Saturday.
I’ve then got a gallop recap show
on Sunday. You know it’s coming
and it goes by pretty fast really.
CUP WEEK
CELEBRATIONS
Mahinga Kai -
Shed Talk Discussion Group
Find out how the good management practices you’re employing on your farm can
help Mahinga Kai.
If you are a farmer in Selwyn, we encourage you to attend one of these events to
learn more about how your work will contribute to improved water quality, which in
turn will help restore mahinga kai.
Date Time Location
26 October 3pm-5.30pm 565 Lochheads Road, Leeston (Arable Farm)
2 November 10am-12.30pm Synlait supply 2014, 686 Hororata Dunsandel Road
All welcome!
Return to the Silver Dollar after the races for your
best bet on drink and meal deals.
• Indoor, outdoor & mezzanine dining
areas
• Large sheltered & sunny courtyard
• Extensive lunch & evening menu
selection to suit everybody’s tastes
• Large range of wine, tap & bottled beers
• 2x courtesy vans available
Silver Dollar
– the bar that supports your community
871 Jones Rd, Rolleston | Ph 347 0386 | www.silverdollarbar.co.nz