IT will be a long trek but one worth making for Michael Dumesny when he heads to Bourke on Sunday to call at the town's first race meeting in more than 12 years.
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Parkes-based Dumesny hails from one of the state's most famous harness racing families but he will make the 850km round trip to call a thoroughbred race at the meeting, which is being staged in honour of his grandfather Harry Hart.
Hart passed away in November 2013 at the age of 77 and was a larrikin former caller who stayed involved in greyhounds, trots and gallops up until his passing.
It was he who inspired Dumesny into racecalling and while the 24-year-old has gained plenty of experience in his short career to date, he admits there will be a lump in his throat on Sunday when he calls the Harry Hart Memorial Picnic Cup (1600m).
"It will be a tough day but at the same time I think it will be a real celebration of what Harry did when he lived out there in places like Bourke and Brewarrina," Dumesny said.
"He was a life member of about 10 race clubs, he loved his racing.
"For me, 'H' was the man that got me keen on race calling and we used to sit in the lounge room and he would have me practising on Albion Park trots or Gloucester Park trots using a form guide and the television.
"I have called some trot meetings before but I got my first real taste of the gallops at Tottenham a few weeks ago when Col Hodges let me call three races there.
"People like Col and Craig Easey have been supporting me, and Tim Moses is letting me call the race on Sunday which is great as well and it's that kind of guidance that really helps.
"I've been doing some form analysis work for the trots on Sky Sports Radio and a harness segment with Geoff Mann on ABC as well, so I think 'H' would be pretty proud of where I have got to, but my ultimate goal is to do a lot more race calling."
The meeting is being held to coincide with a Back To Bourke reunion over the Easter long weekend, with the program complemented by a long table dinner on the Darling River, a street parade and a wool bale rolling exhibition.
Back O' Bourke Picnic Race Club secretary Alicia Tancred said the response to the entire event has been overwhelming
"We expect thousands of visitors to our town from as far as Darwin and New Zealand, and almost all accommodation has been booked out," she said
"In relation to the races, we have a big day planned. We' re a strong committee with more than 20 members and we are all striving toward a successful start of what we would like to be an annual event.
"Part of our focus is to raise money to be donated in honour of Harry Hart to a charitable organisation.
"On the day we plan to have Fashions on the Field, numerous food stalls which are being run by community organisations which also support our town, and food vans and a jumping castle."
