Tom Wood (22) started calling races in Otago in August 2010, replacing long-standing commentator Kevin Payne.
The resignation of Tony Lee from commentating duties in the Central Districts and Wellington last October has opened up the chance for Wood to make a move up the ladder in his commentating career from the start of the new season in August.
But Wood will leave Dunedin with fond memories as he developed his skills in all three codes during almost three years in the province.
Wood faced a steep learning curve when he arrived, after almost two years in Canterbury being mentored by commentating great Reon Murtha, and learning all aspects of the Trackside broadcasting operation.
He called West Coast meetings from December 2009, but the Otago position was his first full-time position - and his first crack at calling greyhound meetings.
''The first few times [calling greyhound races] were a wee bit challenging trying to judge the right pace, without sounding incoherent,'' he said.
''I've learned plenty from calling the dog races, and all the different tracks down here and the quirks that each one of them had.
''I just learned to not run before you walk, and do the basics well then the rest will come.''
Wood comes from a thoroughbred background, as his Cambridge-based father Chris is a prominent trainer in Waikato.
Wood's experience calling the West Coast harness circuit before his arrival was a help when it came to Forbury Park, although there was still plenty to get used to.
''When I first came down here, I got caught out by the angle at Forbury a couple of times, but I soon learned from that.''
While he had to learn the angles at tracks around Otago and Southland and which way to lean when it came to a close finish, he warmed to the people involved in racing south of the Waitaki River.
''The friendliness of the people clearly is a highlight - they're down-to-earth people.
Wood, who turns 23 later this month, lists Cromwell as one of his favourite courses to call at ''because of the atmosphere there'' although he regretted not being able to call at Kurow, due to it clashing with his West Coast commitments.
Looking back, he sees the tri-code challenge as a considerable feather in his cap for the future.
''It's helped immensely doing all three codes. It means if people are away or sick, I'm capable of doing the dogs, doing the trots or doing the gallops.
''Only [Southland commentator] Dave [McDonald] and me call all three. I'm completely multi-coded.''
Wood will call all Central Districts thoroughbred meetings, barring premier meetings which will be called by Waikato commentator George Simon. At this stage, his on-course presenting skills - which he began from scratch upon his arrival in Dunedin - will be put on hold.
''That was probably the thing I most found challenging down here, having not done any at all before coming down here.
''I started off doing a few interviews before doing the whole lot.''
Wood's commentating duties in Otago will be filled by regular Southland caller Dave McDonald while the New Zealand Racing board runs a recruitment drive to find other commentators.
In other changes, Aaron White takes over the majority of North Island harness meetings, including Alexandra Park, leaving George Simon to focus on all North Island premier thoroughbred meetings.
