Sky Racing announce major shake-up to race calling and media ranks
Sky Racing has parted ways with some of its most established race callers and senior media personalities as part of sweeping changes announced at the organisation on Wednesday.
In a move aimed to deliver further efficiencies at the Tabcorp-owned media arm, long-serving Queensland caller Josh Fleming, senior NSW greyhound caller Matt Jackson and much travelled SA broadcaster Brett Davis will all leave the business.
In a further shake-up, respected Tasmanian race caller Colin McNiff, who in February called his 35th consecutive Hobart Cup, will also depart following a long and decorated career.
As well as the major changes to the race-calling ranks, leading media identity Gerard Daffy will also call time on his long association with Tabcorp, as will Nicole Thomas who in recent years has been integral to the brand's media division.
The raft of changes will see David Fowler become the number one Queensland thoroughbred caller while Tim Edwards will assume that mantle in South Australia.
The departure of McNiff sees Duncan Dornauf and Matthew Robertson share the prime role in Tasmania.
A Sky Racing spokesperson said on Wednesday that the changes reflected 'a simpler and more efficient broadcasting model' which 'forms part of a broader modernisation of the network'.
• Godolphin moves to public training model; Cummings to start anew
'Sky congratulates David Fowler and Tim Edwards on their elevations and we look forward to them being the voices of the Queensland and South Australian Carnivals across all of our networks,' the spokesperson said.
'Sky Racing acknowledges the significant contribution and service that our departing on air talent have made, not only to the network, but their local racing industries.'
It's understood senior racing figures were on Wednesday afternoon being briefed of the changes to Sky Racing's broadcasting model, which are built around viewer and industry feedback.
While each exit came with its own shock, the departure of Fleming – who received the second John Tapp Race Calling Scholarship way back in 2003 – has been described by insiders as the most surprising.
Fleming has been a versatile and respected figure with Sky Racing for more than two decades and is said to have been shocked by the decision.
While the succession plan across the thoroughbred calling ranks has been revealed, it's not yet known who will fill the void as lead NSW greyhound caller following the departure of Matt Jackson.
The outgoing Jackson took the reins following the departure of Tim Newbold who took over from the legendary Paul Ambrosoli.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
12 hours ago
- Perth Now
‘Protracted:' Defence boss issues war warning
A senior security expert has warned of the 'very clear threat' of China invading Taiwan, urging Australia to upgrade its defence capabilities and warning that Australia 'needs to be ready for the prospect' of war. Malcolm Davis, a senior defence strategy analyst at conservative think tank the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, urged the government to increase spending to safeguard against China's rising aggression and influence in the Pacific. The comments come as US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth called on Australia to uplift its spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP, with levels currently set to increase to 2.33 per cent by 2033-34. Australia's defence budget is expected to come under further scrutiny with Anthony Albanese expected to have a face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of this weekend's G7 Leaders Summit in Canada. Speaking to Sky on Monday, Mr Davis agreed with comments from US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and said there was 'very clear threat that China is going to move on Taiwan within the next to three years'. Three Australian warships are lurking off Australia's east coast. NewsWire / Australian Defence Force Credit: NewsWire He said Australia needed to ensure that our military assets were up to the task of responding to a 'protracted war,' flagging the need for improved resilience against 'integrated air and missile defence systems'. '(Defence spending) needs to include sustainability and building sustainability for protracted war that could last months or years in our region, and ensure that we can stay in the fight, a high intensity fight, for that period of time,' he said. 'And it includes preparedness and essentially, the ability to respond to challenges and attacks on our society and our country. 'I think that we do need to be ready for the prospect that if war does happen, Australia will be attacked directly.' Mr Davis said the spending needed to be accelerated 'not in 10 years' but in a 'year or two,' adding that investment needs to also be 'smart and targeted'. The defence expert also said critical infrastructure in Australia's north, like RWF Tindall, ports, oil and energy facilities were all 'essentially undefended'. 'The government talks about building integrated air and missile defence systems, and they have developed the command and control system for that, but they don't have any missiles to shoot with,' he continued. 'They talk about possibly using a naval based missile or an air based missile, but those platforms have to be in the right place at the right time.' Defence Minister Richard Marles left the door open for further conversations with the US on lifting defence spending. NewsWire/ Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia Although Defence Minister Richard Marles has left the door open for further discussions with the US, stating that the government was 'clearly willing to have the conversation with America,' he said the outcome will be based on Australia's 'national interest'. 'We will work it through from there and make sure that we do the appropriate defence spending based on meeting the strategic moment,' he told Sky. Mr Albanese has recently clashed with the conservative think tank after it released a report stating a 'generational investment' in defence has been 'put off for another generation'. Report author and former home affairs deputy secretary Mark Ablong said a failure to boost defence 'will make all Australians less secure,' and 'risks a brittle and hollowed defence force' and a 'paper ADF'. However Mr Albanese rubbished the report as 'predictable' and political and stood by the government's plan. 'ASPI regularly produce these sort of reports, you know, run by people who have been in a position to make a difference in the past as part of former governments,' he told ABC radio. 'You know, I think it's predictable, frankly.'
West Australian
12 hours ago
- West Australian
ASPI senior defence analyst says Australia needs to be prepared for ‘protracted war'
A senior security expert has warned of the 'very clear threat' of China invading Taiwan, urging Australia to upgrade its defence capabilities and warning that Australia 'needs to be ready for the prospect' of war. Malcolm Davis, a senior defence strategy analyst at conservative think tank the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, urged the government to increase spending to safeguard against China's rising aggression and influence in the Pacific. The comments come as US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth called on Australia to uplift its spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP, with levels currently set to increase to 2.33 per cent by 2033-34. Australia's defence budget is expected to come under further scrutiny with Anthony Albanese expected to have a face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of this weekend's G7 Leaders Summit in Canada. Speaking to Sky on Monday, Mr Davis agreed with comments from US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and said there was 'very clear threat that China is going to move on Taiwan within the next to three years'. He said Australia needed to ensure that our military assets were up to the task of responding to a 'protracted war,' flagging the need for improved resilience against 'integrated air and missile defence systems'. '(Defence spending) needs to include sustainability and building sustainability for protracted war that could last months or years in our region, and ensure that we can stay in the fight, a high intensity fight, for that period of time,' he said. 'And it includes preparedness and essentially, the ability to respond to challenges and attacks on our society and our country. 'I think that we do need to be ready for the prospect that if war does happen, Australia will be attacked directly.' Mr Davis said the spending needed to be accelerated 'not in 10 years' but in a 'year or two,' adding that investment needs to also be 'smart and targeted'. The defence expert also said critical infrastructure in Australia's north, like RWF Tindall, ports, oil and energy facilities were all 'essentially undefended'. 'The government talks about building integrated air and missile defence systems, and they have developed the command and control system for that, but they don't have any missiles to shoot with,' he continued. 'They talk about possibly using a naval based missile or an air based missile, but those platforms have to be in the right place at the right time.' Although Defence Minister Richard Marles has left the door open for further discussions with the US, stating that the government was 'clearly willing to have the conversation with America,' he said the outcome will be based on Australia's 'national interest'. 'We will work it through from there and make sure that we do the appropriate defence spending based on meeting the strategic moment,' he told Sky. Mr Albanese has recently clashed with the conservative think tank after it released a report stating a 'generational investment' in defence has been 'put off for another generation'. Report author and former home affairs deputy secretary Mark Ablong said a failure to boost defence 'will make all Australians less secure,' and 'risks a brittle and hollowed defence force' and a 'paper ADF'. However Mr Albanese rubbished the report as 'predictable' and political and stood by the government's plan. 'ASPI regularly produce these sort of reports, you know, run by people who have been in a position to make a difference in the past as part of former governments,' he told ABC radio. 'You know, I think it's predictable, frankly.'
News.com.au
15 hours ago
- News.com.au
Grafterburners primed for round three against Cool Archie in Group 1 JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm
Group 1 JJ Atkins favourite Cool Archie was too good for fellow Queenslander Grafterburners the last time they met, but Kelly Schweida has made a case for the result being reversed on Saturday. Chris and Corey Munce -trained Cool Archie, who has won his last four, and Schweida's colt Grafterburners are the top two betting picks in Saturday's JJ Atkins at $3 and $6 respectively. Cool Archie has had the measure of fellow two-year-old colt Grafterburners the last two times, including in their last meeting in the $1m BRC Sires' Produce Stakes where Cool Archie won from last and Grafterburners finished sixth. But Grafterburners, who scored the $500,000 QTIS Jewel in March, has endured luckless wide runs the last two times he has raced. And it didn't help his cause when jockey Jason Collett dropped the whip approaching the 200m in the Sires'. A barnstorming win by Cool Archie in the G2 BRC Sires' Produce Stakes, and that's four in a row to the @munceracing galloper! 🙌 @BrisRacingClub — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 'The winner (Cool Archie) was too good on the day and won easy and he deserves to be favourite in the JJ Atkins,' Schweida said. 'But my horse has just had no luck the last two runs. 'And the jockey dropped the stick (whip) last time, which probably doesn't help on the heavy track we saw that day. 'I guess though I can make all the excuses I like, but my horse still didn't win. 'But we definitely should have finished closer the other day.' Legendary jockey Craig Williams gets the call-up to partner Grafterburners in the JJ Atkins (1600m). Grafterburners has never stretched out beyond 1400m but two-time Group 1-winning trainer Schweida suspects the mile won't be a problem. Although he concedes he won't know for sure until he tests him in the JJ Atkins. Grafterburners is a class above for @CejayGraham1 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 15, 2025 He has high respect for Cool Archie but Schweida would love a soft barrier draw and a bit of luck for Grafterburners. 'All you can do is win and that is what the Chris Munce horse has been doing,' Schweida said. 'That horse definitely loves the wet but I think it goes good on the dry too. 'He's won four on the bounce, he's a good horse, and I don't know anyone who would be bagging a horse that keeps winning. 'As for my horse, I think he will run a mile but it's hard to say until he has a go. 'He just needs a cosy run rather than getting stuck out on a limb in his races like he has been.' In all-in JJ Atkins betting on TAB fixed odds, ahead of Tuesday's final field and barrier draw, Chris Waller 's Yulong-owned colt Hidden Achievement is on the $6 line with Grafterburners. The others other double figures in betting are Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott -trained colt Farnicle, runner-up behind Cool Archie in the Sires', and Michael Freedman 's gelding Aerodrome. Both are $8 chances.
