John Tapp Racing

I first met Tony Lee when I had the honour to be guest commentator at the 1996 Wellington Cup meeting. In preparing to call a couple of races on the big programme, I received every possible courtesy from the NZ ace. Tony went out of his way to help me through a plethora of strange colours and horse names. I tuned in to hear his description of the recent Wellington Cup won by Mary Louise- his broadcasting swan song after four decades of wonderful service to NZ racing. I called Tony a few days after his Trentham send off to record this tribute to a man whose race calls whetted the appetites of generations of racing fans.  He recalls the warmth of the farewell afforded him by the racing industry. Tony says his last Wellington Cup was a tricky race to call.  He pays tribute to trainer Robbie Paterson and jockey Craig Grylls who bagged a Gr 1 double on the day. The veteran caller outlines the reasons for his surprise retirement.  Tony reminisces about the 1996 Wellington Cup meeting when he and I worked together f