A deep passion for the caper has seen HRV Steward Barry Delaney mark 40 years in a role that has seen him climb the watchtower, ensuring participants' safety and integrity since the 1980's.

Delaney has worked all over the country before settling in Victoria.

“I came here (Victoria) from Adelaide originally in 1981 and came back in 1984,” Delaney said.

“I retired in the middle of 2020 and came back as a casual since then.”

The role as steward for Delaney has never felt like a job more a way of life and a career for the long-standing stalwart.

“My wife hasn’t been doing too well and I do this to keep me busy,” he said.

Delaney has seen the sport change and evolve dating back to the Moonee Valley days.

“I started when we had running rails and no wheel discs – no running rail was the best safety feature we ever did – putting in marker pegs was the best thing,” he said.

“My grand uncle had a big issue at Gawler and broke through the running rail and broke three or four of his ribs and that was the old wooden rails.

“The race track surfaces are so much better than they use to be and the breed has improved so much and you can see that with the times they are running.”

Delaney has seen the greats from Popular Alm to Pure Steel, but puts one head and shoulders above the rest.

“The best horse I ever saw was Maoris Idol – he was the best of all time,” he said. “ He was a trotter and beat the best pacers of his time when the trotters raced against the pacers.

“I saw him win in Brisbane against the pacers and he was a marvel and going the other way – to see a horse like him now would be unbelievable.

“I think he would compete against the horses today.  I have three big photos in my house one of Maoris Idol one of Popular Alm and one of Preux Chevalier – they were the three best horses I saw.”

The role Delaney forged saw him build everlasting bond with the likes of Vin Knight and Gavin Lang.

“Gavin Lang was the best driver I saw,” he said. “He was the best tactical driver and would win by a head and be in control the whole time – he was the best of all time.

“I remember one time and Gavin had just won by a nose and I would say ‘I’m glad you knew what you were doing’ and he would smile and nod at me.”

The now casual steward has worn many hats in his four decades of experience.

“I was in charge of the bookmakers that was another one of the portfolio’s I use to have,” Delaney said. “We would have a night at Moonee Valley in the early days and have bookmakers on three levels.

“It was incredible to see the money flowing through the ring at Kilmore, Ballarat and Bendigo.”

Delaney has seen a world of anarchy and misconduct in the steward's room.

“I have a had a guy try and tip the table over on me – when I tried to give him a suspension,” he said. “You don’t have that now. It was a very interesting time.

“Thank goodness it doesn’t happen now.”

Delaney’s South Australian roots link back to the Wayville trots day – an influence bestowed on Barry by his father – John.

John Delaney was a very talented horseman who was also a steward and continued to be an influential figure in harness racing.

“My father was a driver initially until his father was killed by a horse,” he said. “That was how I got into it.”

Delaney’s longevity not only in harness racing, but Australian sport links to one of the great callers of all-time in Bruce McAvaney.

“Back in the days I use to know Bruce when he use to call the Globe Derby trials – we knew each other back then – he was a lovely man.

“I was so chuffed when we were out at Globe Derby and Bruce McAvaney was the MC, Bruce in his talk credited my father to helping him get to where he was – which made me extremely proud.

“It brought a tear to my eye.”