RACING: Not many people during a lifetime will be called on to fill the shoes of their childhood idol.

The task is a humbling experience that brings with it more than its share of expectations.

But it's a challenge Warwick racing lover Anthony Collins is preparing to meet after being appointed as Toowoomba's new voice of racing.

But this Saturday he will call the Warwick Credit Union Warwick Cup meeting at Allman Park, a great thrill for a young man going places as a caller.

Collins has been installed by Sky Racing as the permanent replacement in the Toowoomba Turf Club broadcasting box for the late Pat O'Shea.

O'Shea died late last month after a brief illness. The legendary sport and broadcasting figure became a Darling Downs institution during a career spanning more than 40 years in the public arena, including 30 behind the microphone at Clifford Park.

Collins began his calling days at Rocklea trots in 2003 before getting his thoroughbred racing break in 2007 at Warwick where he called his first gallops meeting. Collins is no stranger to regular Sky Racing viewers.

The former Warwick furniture salesman was recruited by Sky Racing in 2012 to be its casual fill-in caller on the New South Wales Northern Rivers circuit.

Within three months he inherited the role full-time from Rod Fuller.

While Collins relished his wide travelling role on New South Wales tracks, his Sky promotion to number-one Clifford Park caller is the unexpected realisation of a boyhood dream.

"Pat was my boyhood idol," Collins said settling into his new surroundings last Saturday.

"I used to listen to him religiously whether it was on 4WK, WIN News, calling trots, dogs and gallops or broadcasting football.

"Realistically, it was Pat's influence in the community that was instrumental in getting me into this job.

"I knew it would be sentimental for me when the barriers opened for my first race here, and that's exactly how it felt."

Collins will call at 35 Saturday Clifford Park meetings annually along with midweek programs that don't clash with his Northern Rivers commitments.

Brett Moody will call Clifford Park events when Collins is unavailable.

"This is a proud moment for me," Collins said.

"Nobody ever dreams of one day standing in the shoes of someone they idolised.

"No-one will ever replace Pat.

"But he gave me a lot of pointers and help during the times I spent with him.

"It's a matter now of getting on with the job as Pat would have wanted us to.

"I hope I can do the job justice for him."