Allow me to post a tribute to Bruce here, he was a friend to many of us... one of those rare racing fanatics who will be sorely missed. Thanks, Charl.
BRUCE Chalmers, a popular former bookmaker's clerk and one of the best known faces at Gauteng racetracks, gassed himself in his car on Monday night, 8 September. Bruce was a good friend to many, a quiet, mostly reserved man with a huge knowledge of racing who worked actively in the explosive centre of the powerful Transvaal bookmaker's ring through the 70's, 80s, 90s and beyond. Every racing jurisdiction has a "man in the know'' and Gauteng's was Bruce Chalmers, who over many years, in the course of his duties, perfected the art of gathering inside information without ever becoming a nuisance to the holders of the info. Bruce was popular among punters, trainers and jockeys alike and hailed from racing's golden era, the time of big betting coups and legendary punters like Hymie Tucker, Derrick Flynn, Johnny Osrin and "Lolly'' Livanos. Bruce knew them all, dealt with them all, understood the inner workings of the layers' and players' markets. His friendly face greeted many around the parade ring after the first race of the day, when information would be shared before the"big action'' of the day would start. "We were about to find Bruce a job,'' said RA Chairman Larry Wainstein. "He came to us a few weeks ago and might have been in a spot of bother. We were thinkimgh of utilisng his knowledge and his affinity with people around the parade ring. His death comes as a personal shock as we used to play soccer together in addition to being racing friends.'' Bruce is said to have taken his mother a bunch of flowers before he wandered off on Monday to give himself over to the darkness of depression. He is also survived by his estranged wife and a daughter, resident in the UK. Bruce, friend and fellow racing fanatic, we were all there for you! You should have spoken. But rest now brother. Rest in peace! (9/9/08)
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