New Zealand race caller Tom Wood has been called up to the big leagues and will join Hong Kong’s broadcast team in the new season.

Currently Singapore Turf Club’s number one race caller, Wood has spent the last 18 months in the South East Asian racing jurisdiction, taking over his current role from Australian race caller Matt Jones earlier this year.

“I was the number two here for the first 13 or 14 months behind Matt Jones and when he decided to go back to Victoria and go farming I was in a fortunate spot to be put into the number one role here,” Wood said.

“This year I have ticked off a few good races like the (Singapore) Derby last weekend and then before that the Kranji Mile meeting.

“But he gave me a whole stack of opportunities when I was number two to him. He really believed in giving the person under him something to want to stick around for and keep them interested.

“I was fortunate, as he was number two for about five and a-half years when Craig Evans was here, so he had to wait a while and I didn’t have to wait too long.”

Wood believes his time in Singapore helped his cause in attaining the race calling position with the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

“It was just the right place at the right time and knowing the right people,” he said. “Being here in Asia helps your chances of getting a position like that because previous callers have come through Singapore to go to Hong Kong, like Brett Davis who is there now.”

Wood is looking forward to moving to Hong Kong with his wife Stacey and the challenges his new job will present.

“I’m looking forward to being part of a quality broadcasting team up there with quality racing,” he said.

“Not many people know that the angle at Happy Valley is a real challenge. The commentary box at Happy Valley you are about 30 to 40m before the finish line, so it’s going to be a bit of an adjustment to try and get around and everything happens at Happy Valley so quickly.

“So that will be something I am really looking forward to, calling at an iconic track like that.

“I don’t think there has been any other Kiwi race callers up there, but I have had plenty of advice from Darren Flindell and David Raphael, they have all been good to talk to.”

Wood hopes to make a fleeting visit home to visit family in New Zealand before venturing north next month if all goes according to plan.

“It’s been a bit of a work in progress over a few months, but we finally got it across the line,” he said.

“I am still negotiating with the Hong Kong Jockey Club regarding my start date, but I hope to be there by the start of the new season and possibly make it home for a few days before heading up there.