Huntly’s journey into clocking began in the early 1990s when, as a part-owner of a racehorse and he started attending trackwork out of curiosity. Bart Cummings' Foreman and Leon Corstens, recognising his enthusiasm, famously handed him a stopwatch one morning and told him to “make yourself useful.” What started as a casual hobby soon became a profession. Under the mentorship of Flemington clocker Des Spain, Huntly refined his skills and developed a passion that ultimately led him to leave corporate life and fully dedicate himself to racing.
He clocked gallops at Flemington for decades, his timings and observations trusted by trainers and punters alike. “There was always camaraderie and a bit of banter between the towers,” he once said, reflecting on the early mornings spent alongside trainers and horsemen. “That was part of the magic.” His days began before sunrise, stopwatch in hand, moving between towers to maintain the relationships that made his work so effective.
Huntly understood that the stopwatch was only part of the equation. The real skill, he believed, was in reading the horses’ recovery, rhythm, and fitness. “It’s not just about running a fast time,” he said. “It’s about how they come back from it.” His thoughtful approach earned respect across the industry – from trainers and jockeys to fellow analysts and racing fans. Even as technology evolved, he preferred the stopwatch, relying on instinct, experience, and a sharp eye for detail.
When once asked what he valued most about his work, Huntly simply said: “I love the relationships I’ve been able to develop with so many great people in racing, and the privilege of working with such a beautiful animal as a thoroughbred.”
