By Darren Cartwright
Race caller Anthony Collins says he feels like a ‘kid in a lolly shop’ in the new five-storey high broadcast and judges tower at Warwick Turf Club that provides him with a pristine view of the course from a soundproofed box.
The $320,000 project was one of five new infrastructure acquisitions for Warwick Turf Club this year, including an extension to the female jockeys’ room.
The multi-purpose two-level tower accommodates judges, stewards, a race caller, the primary television camera and the photo finish camera and operator.
An external semaphore board, that will display results at the touch of a button, has been affixed to the side of the structure.
From the moment the project jumped out of the barriers, so to speak, Mr Collins has been along for the ride.
Racing Queensland sought out Collins for his input in the design, especially the needs from a race caller’s perspective.
“I’m pretty chuffed that the Warwick Turf Club and Racing Queensland asked for my input on the design of the tower,” Collins said.
“For various reasons, it’s crucial that these projects are spot on from the word go, and there’s a million little things to consider.
“It’s been quite a fun process building it. I am like a kid in a lolly shop actually
“The ultramodern design is second to none and it’s widely accepted already as being one of the best towers in place and it’s only just built.
“Realistically it could be used at any racecourse for any code in the world.”
Whereas the new tower is considerably higher than the earlier structure, it is accessed by a staircase. The previous tower could also only be reached by a ladder.
Installations included a soundproof race caller's room, air-conditioning, tinted windows and modern data points and cabling.
The new structure ticks all boxes and counters all weather events, Mr Collins said.
“In my experience there’s two designs of broadcast box that are the best to work in, one that is completely open in front and the other being completely sealed off,” he said.
“Warwick’s weather at certain times of the year doesn’t allow us to not have a window, so they’ve designed it with angled glass that will prevent glare and rain from hindering vision.
“The added positive is it’s completely soundproofed, so I can get up there in the clouds and concentrate without noise. “
He said Warwick racecourse was one of fairest provincial circuits in South East Queensland which made it a dream for jockeys and the horse’s connections.
But at the same time, it made it problematic for race callers, Mr Collins explained.
“Due to the nature of the course proper, Warwick is very difficult to call,” he said.
“Racing is very fair there and, more often than not, you will get a line of eight or ten horses queuing across the track up the straight.
“The new position will make it much easier to negotiate.
“It’s a luxury for anyone who has the good fortune of working in it and the height and angle (camera position) mean anyone tuning in to Sky Racing will have one of the best views in country Australia”.
Warwick Turf Club President Barry Burgess said the new tower has been positioned slightly further from the racecourse than the previous structure and that was by design.
Two new semaphore boards will also be a welcome and overdue upgrade for patrons, especially for non-members.
“Our new double-level broadcast tower has been built back further from the track and gives a far better view of the horses racing past the finish post,” Burgess said.
“The electronic semaphore boards will be an exciting plus for our patrons, as we are installing two new boards so that all patrons will be able to view the winners and times from both ends of the course.
“The previous tower was over 30 years old and was single level.
“Previously we had to use a hoist to move the equipment up the tower, now we have stairs.
“We have had a total of five new infrastructures built this year and the tower was just one part of the bigger picture for the Club moving forward.”