“Flemington is a beast of a racetrack to call,” Miles says, describing the immense challenge that comes with race-calling at this world-renowned venue, particularly on Melbourne Cup Day when the stakes – and the pressure – are at their highest. The grandeur of the day demands intense preparation and focus, as it’s not just about getting through the race, but doing justice to the drama that unfolds on the track.
The evolution of race calling has been significant over the years. In the early days, as Miles recalls, race callers relied on newspapers for form guides, working without the luxury of replays, trials, or advanced technology. “When I first started in the ‘80s, there were no computers, no mobile phones,” he reflects. Today’s race caller can study hours of replays, jump-outs, and analyse data, but even with the technological advances, the pressure remains immense. Every call, especially on a day like the Melbourne Cup, is recorded for posterity.
“There’s a sense of history in the making,” as Miles describes it, knowing that every word will be replayed for generations to come.
Vintage Crop’s 1993 win put the Melbourne Cup on the international map, with Miles guiding listeners through the moment when the Irish horse surged to victory. Many feared that overseas horses would dominate the race from then on, but it wasn’t until nine years later that another international horse would replicate the feat. Miles also had the distinction of calling Makybe Diva’s three historic Melbourne Cup victories, culminating in her 2005 win, where he famously declared, “A champion becomes a legend!”
Beyond just calling races, Miles has experienced the thrill of being in the mounting yard on Cup Day as an owner of a horse in another race. While he humorously recalls a 40-to-1 longshot that “ran accordingly,” the excitement of being part of such an iconic day was unparalleled.
Greg Miles’ voice has become synonymous with Australia’s greatest racing moments, and his contribution to the sport will be remembered for generations to come.
