Sometimes it can be a challenge; like during a recent race meet where the jockeys walked out the change rooms in different colours than was recorded. 

But Coghlan said if he lost that fear before a race meet he knew it was time to leave it behind. 

“I love the race calling here. I try and be as accurate as possible because I know the trainers are relying on that feedback, and punters, and I try and make it entertaining,” Coghlan said. 

“I enjoy the effort horses put in.

“They don’t give in. They put their best in. I admire that.” 

He began the role around three years ago to save money for the Mount Isa Race Club, which used to fly in a racecaller from Townsville.

“I just thought if I can do something to help, why don’t I?” 

Coghlan said he made many mistakes when he first began the role.

“I have got to thank Peter Inwood (who was then club president) because he stuck with me.” 

The racecaller and club committee member attended the region’s presentation night held at Buchanan Park last Saturday night. 

The region’s and Mount Isa’s best trainers, jockeys, and horses were announced. 

All Fives was declared to be North West Queensland’s horse of the year, a surprise to trainer Denise Ballard.

She said the seven-year-old gelding had been in the paddock to recover from an injury since placing second in the Carlton Tennant Creek Cup held in May. 

The two other awards for the region’s racing industry were for the North West Queensland’s trainer of the year, and for the region’s jockey of the year. 

Country Premiership jockey and Mount Isa Race Club president Dan Ballard was awarded the region’s jockey of the year. Ballard also won the title for Mount Isa. 

The Mount Isa Apprentice Jockey of the Year went to Tamara Tincknell. “She was one of those jockeys that came out here to get rides, and she’s settled down here now,” Coghlan said. 

The North West Queensland trainer of the year went to Tanya Parry, who cleaned up at the awards. 

She trained Diurnal Tiger, which was titled Mount Isa’s racehorse of the year. 

Parry was also awarded the Mount Isa Trainer of the Year. 

Coghlan acknowledged the contributions of trainers such as Parry who make a difference to the numbers on the track. 

“The stewards say the fields here are larger than what they are getting on the coast. That says a lot about trainers here.”