His career as a racecaller began in western New South Wales on country racetracks.[1] In 1948, while living in Dubbo he successfully auditioned for a job with Melbourne radio station 3UZ where his personality and colourful racecalls made him an enduring success for the next 30 years as Director of Sport.[2] His racing programs and racecalls attracted a listening audience of 2.5 million through links to radio stations around Australia.
Among thousands of races, his call of the two horse war between Big Philou and Rain Lover in the 1970 Queen Elizabeth Stakes is considered an epic. In a very close finish, Bert plumped, rightly, for Big Philou. He said "If you got it wrong in a two-horse race, you’d have to give it up forever."[3]
He suffered a cerebral haemorrhage in 1978 which ended his racecalling career. In 1985 he was diagnosed with a cancerous stomach tumour, which he overcame, but suffered from depression in later years and died in 1991.[2]
In the Big Philou – Rain Lover match race, one of his best lines was: There won't be much change for a while, so if you want to put the kettle on now would be a good time to do so.
The rider is bobbing up and down like a cork in the Pacific.
In his call of the 1969 Melbourne Cup Bert said: And shades of 1968, Rain Lover dashed to the front. At the exact moment he calls this, there is a massive roar from the on course crowd.
Bert hosted a racing show on Melbourne radio station 3UZ every Saturday morning with Sydney racecaller Clif Cary, called Turf Talk. It was compelling listening for punters around Australia. Bert often remarked that some of his least liked horses were listening to the show.
