Harness » Selection Panel
Please select from below:
- Bill Brindley
- Ken Casellas
- Ross Cooper
- Robbie Dewar
- Ernie Manning
- Alan Parker
- Desmond Parr
- Ross Pyke
- Matthew Skipper
Bill Brindley
As a youngster Bill jumped the fence to see the racing at Gloucester Park and his first job was picking up manure at the track! Over the years he has worked for and been on the committee of various country harness racing clubs but is probably better known through his tireless work in promoting the code in the country media.
Many of Bill's children and grandchildren have also had involvement with the industry. In 2003 he was presented the James Brennan award, the Western Australian Trotting Association's highest honour, for services to the industry.
Ken Casellas
Ken's association with harness racing began as a teenager in 1956 when he began covering the sport for the West Australian newspaper and by 1960 he was the paper's chief trotting writer, a position he held for four years. Since then he has promoted harness racing on both radio and television and has been a contributor to numerous industry publications, including a stint as editor of 'The Pacer' in the mid-late 70s.While he has also enjoyed a long and fruitful career in the cricket and football media Ken has always retained an involvement with harness racing. In recent years Ken has been the public address announcer at Gloucester Park and continues to write articles for the Racing Ahead magazine and the WATA website.
Ken was recently honoured by receiving a Joseph Coulter Media Award for Meritorious Service from the Australian Harness Racing Council.
Ross Cooper
The son of a successful hobby trainer Ross developed his vast knowledge of harness racing over the course of his two and half decades as a bookmaker and he is judged as one of the most astute analysts in the game.Ross is a current Racing and Wagering Western Australia board member.
Robbie Dewar
Robbie’s passion to be a racecaller fired by listening to the likes of Bert Bryant, Ken Howard, early John Tapp, Doug Gilmour and Barry Thomas, has indirectly led to an enjoyable and rewarding involvement in the harness racing media.Harness racing became a full time hobby in 1992 when Robbie became the Wanneroo Trotting Club trial caller and that involvement led him to become the harness racing writer for the Sunday Times and industry publications as well as hosting a radio show.
Robbie performs various media activities for the WATA, for which he is known the best as the Pony Trot caller. He deeply appreciates harness industry and is proud to be involved.
Ernie Manning
A baby boomer, Ernie was raised and educated in the south west of the state and has had an illustrious career in journalism, specialising in racing and pacing, for nearly forty years.His encyclopaedic knowledge of all things thoroughbred saw him the chief racing writer of the Daily News for 16 years and is he currently writing for The West Australian.
He owned many city winners during the 1970's and 80's and has been attending Melbourne Cup Carnivals for over thirty years.
Alan Parker
Alan has a wealth of experience in the industry with 30 years experience in harness racing administration. He has always had a strong interest in harness racing's heritage and has written many historical and biographical articles over the years. Alan also created the concept of the '500 Club', for drivers who have 500 winners on Perth tracks. In 1996 Alan published 'The Village Kid Story' in collaboration with his good friend Bill Horn. The book, a labour of love for Alan, won an AHRC award.Alan continues to serve in his current role as Assistant Manager of Harness with Racing and Wagering Western Australia.
Desmond Parr
A trainer for nearly 40 years Des has enjoyed plenty of success in harness racing particularly with Valley Champ and Sandy Bay. He has been in a number of positions within the industry including treasurer/secretary of WA Harness Racing Spider Fund and 12 years as the industry's training co-ordinator.Des is currently on the committee of the WATA.
Ross Pyke
Ross’s involvement and experience in harness racing administration at all levels spans over 40 years and he is well known in the industry throughout Australia and New Zealand. Formerly Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Trotting Association and currently Fremantle Harness Racing Club Secretary Manager, with a particular interest in administration, finance, programming, marketing and promotion within the harness code.An official WA delegate to World Trotting Conferences in Perth and New York USA, Ross was honoured in 2003 by receiving the Harness Racing Australia Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his long service to the harness racing industry.
