Full Circle Moment for a Returning Racecaller

After making his racecalling debut at Wycheproof as a 12-year-old in 2014, Dayne Barry is returning to the Mallee to call all seven races at this year’s Mt Wycheproof Cup Day.

Born and raised in Swan Hill, Dayne is excited to return to the meeting where his racecalling journey began.

“I feel like it’s been a long time coming,” he said.

“I called my first race when I was 12 in 2014, so it’s 12 years on and I’m going to finally call the cards. I’m rapt.”

Racecallers Ric McIntosh and Adam Olszanski have played an influential role in Dayne’s career, helping him secure opportunities through the racing industry.

Dayne grew up following his uncle Darren Weir’s horses and watching races from a young age.

He even raced his dog, Judd, named after former AFL player Chris Judd, in the backyard before local Swan Hill trainer, Austy Coffey, and Ric McIntosh helped him get the opportunity to call a race at Wycheproof.

“Things have led on from there,” he said.

Now calling greyhound races for Greyhound Racing Victoria on a weekly basis, Dayne said his career had been a gradual progression over the past 12 years, with additional work for Racing.com along the way.

While greyhound racing remains a regular part of his work, Dayne is eager to call the horses at Wycheproof.

“Horses are probably harder because you’re talking for longer, more people are watching and you’ve got bigger field sizes,” he said.

“It’s a bit more of a marathon rather than calling the dogs, which is very quick and you can get into a very easy routine of calling the dogs.

“The dogs still have their challenges, don’t get me wrong, but the horses are what I want to call, and I’m so glad I’ll be doing it at the Wyche Cup.”

Having attended the Mt Wycheproof Cup for many years, Dayne said he was looking forward to catching up with familiar faces and bringing excitement to the day through his calls.

“I want to make sure that I show the audience at home and the people that are there how good the racing is there,” he said.

Dayne thanked the Mt Wycheproof Racing Club, Racing.com, McIntosh,
Olszanski and his family for their support and for helping make the opportunity
possible.