There is a tinge of sadness on the local racing scene this week, with the passing of legendary local race caller, Peter Eustace.
Peter was a caring and gracious man, always polite and respectful, who called tens of thousands of greyhound, harness and Thoroughbred races throughout the Gippsland in a career that spanned over 50 years behind the binoculars.
When he wasn’t calling races, he was promoting local sport, including his beloved racing codes on the local radio.
Eustace retired from racing calling in 2017, and is a member of the Greyhound Racing Victoria Hall of Fame, only the second person ever working in the media to receive such an honour.
Eustace became internationally famous in 1987, when he called a rare triple dead heat for first at Stony Creek, with Chesterfield, Fast Seal and Mr Spectre going over the line in unison.
Eustace saying at the time,”It’s a three way go, anyone of three could have won.”
And he was right with all three being officially named the winner.
Former local trainer, Danny Macdonald named a horse after Eustace, a winner of four of his 12 starts, Petaeustis’ career was cut short by injury before he could reach his prime, unlike his namesake whose dulcet tones were at their best for decades.
Peter Eustace will be farewelled at the Baptist Church in Sale on Friday at 11am, followed by a graveside burial at the Sale Lawn Cemetery.
