Racing: Commentator Dave McDonald in good spirits after on-course collapse

Legendary Otago and Southland horse racing commentator Dave McDonald is in a serious condition in Dunedin Hospital Photo/ODT

By Jonny Turner

Popular race caller Dave McDonald is in a stable condition and in good spirits while in Dunedin hospital, following a health scare.

Mr McDonald was scheduled to commentate today's Forbury Park race meeting, but became unwell after arriving on course.

Though St. John spokesperson said that a 60-year-old man, believed to be Mr McDonald, was in a serious condition after being attended to by ambulance staff.

Serious was not how Mr McDonald's wife, Linda, described her husband's condition.

Instead, she told the Otago Daily Times that her husband was simply feeling unwell.

''He is up, he is talking and he is texting," she said.

"I would expect he would be in overnight."

"I haven't talked to any doctors."

In Mr. McDonald's absence, the first race of the Forbury meeting was commentated by the on-course commentator at today's Te Rapa racecourse, George Simon.

The call was fed by satellite link to the Forbury course to be broadcast on course, as well as being aired on Trackside television.

That resulted in a delay of up to seven seconds between the horses' progress and the commentary for both on course patrons and television viewers.

Trackside television officials then arranged Canterbury commentator Matthew Cross to call the rest of the Forbury Park programme from its Christchurch studios.

Though Cross delivered polished commentaries under trying circumstances, which initially came through unclearly for on-course patrons, however, those audio improved on as the meeting went on.

Dave McDonald is a highly popular Southern racing identity that holds legendary status in racing circles for his vibrant commentaries and long service to the industry.

He was formally recognised for registering 40 years of race calling in September of last year.