The former ‘Voice of The Park’ turned 72 last Saturday (September 17) and despite his heavy workload away from racing these days, Alby Gain is still very much involved in harness racing.
His pride and joy – No Doctor Needed is aiming at his second New Zealand Cup on November 8. The 6-year-old Mach Three – Molly Darling gelding finished ninth when 11th favourite of 15 in the great race last year.
“I probably won’t be there this time because I’m so busy at work, but I wouldn’t mind getting down there to watch him in the Kaikoura Cup if times allows,” Gain said.
Gain shares in the ownership of No Doctor Needed with Scott Plant, the Plant family, and Steve Stockman. The winner of 12 of his 29 starts and nine placings ($175,240) was bred by Plant Racing Limited.
His biggest wins to date have come via the 2014 Group 2 Southern Supremacy Stakes at Gore and this year’s (March) Group Three Kumeu Founders Cup at Alexandra Park.
Gain is also the sales manager of the Swiss Deli Small Goods Company in Auckland and because of that doubts he will make it to Addington again this year.
“I’d love to be there but it’s such a busy time of year for us. I’ll be watching it very closely don’t you worry about that. He has still to qualify for the big race of course but Kaikoura suits my work schedule better.
“I should be on track for his next start in the Spring Cup at Alexandra Park on Friday week,” Gain said.
Gain had his last night calling at Alexandra Park on August 13, 2010. He was commentator there for 27 years and all-up called at New Zealand tracks for 35 years.
He took over from another legendary commentator, the late Reg Clapp in 1983.
Born in Palmerston North in 1944, Gain broke into race-calling part-time after doing trials in the early 1970s. A couple of years later he got his break.
"Back then Rotorua used to have an Easter meeting that clashed with Ellerslie so I got asked to call at Rotorua while Hauby (Keith Haub), who had just taken over from Syd Tonks, did Ellerslie," Gain reminisced.
More jobs came until Radio Pacific, who employed him, took over as the main racing broadcaster in 1981.
"Radio Pacific covered racing all over New Zealand which meant I had to go everywhere. One year I commentated at about 250 meetings," Gain said.
"A packing field' and ‘the twinkling of an eye' were two clichés that were synonymous with Gain’s calling. And even right up until his last race call Gain admitted he was nervous.
No doubt those same nerves will surface again on November 8.
No Doctor Needed is paying $81 to win the New Zealand Cup. So far this season he has finished with two thirds from as many starts for his Ardmore trainers, Steve Telfer and Chris Garlick.
His next assignment is the $20,000 Spring Cup on Friday week for R80 and faster pacers. No Doctor Needed’s rating is 106 and he is currently assessed at C9.
Duane Ranger