Klemke will have his eyes glued to Sky Channel at home, waiting in anticipation for his talented pacer Halle Maruia to go around in the Albury Pacers Cup.

The 85-year-old has been waiting over 40-years for the moment.

The avid harness fan has been involved in pacers all of his life and has always held a burning ambition to have a runner in Albury's premier harness race.

Klemke bought Halle Maruia from New Zealand as an unraced two-year-old and owns the pacer alongside his son John "Muddy" Klemke and his wife Sandra.

"Dad can't walk much these days but still loves to watch the trots on Sky Channel at home every day," John Klemke said.

"He has been involved in harness racing for over 40-years.

"He was one of the stewards at the Henty Show when they held harness racing.

"Des is credited with giving Alan Hull his first ever race call at the Henty show.

"Des, Aussie Bahr and Curly Takle were the stewards that day and Alan Hull has been calling the harness racing and gallops ever since and will be calling again on Saturday night."

Trained by Hellen Scott and driven by husband John, Halle Maruia has had 52-starts for six wins and 23 placings.

Halle Maruia also won Horse of the Year honours at Wagga two years ago.

"Dad lives and breathes horses," John Klemke said.

"He is always telling Scotty (John) he needs to have a girly driver on the horse.

"He would love to be there on Saturday night but unfortunately a few old footy injuries won't allow it."

Halle Maruia is named after the childern of Josh and Tanya Corrigan who are Klemke's great-grandchildren.

Klemke also has some handy footballers as grandchildren in Albury premiership player Jay Koehler alongside Ben, Jayden and Matthew Klemke and Jack and Sam McCallum.

"The grandkids are always ringing up old Dessie for tips and he doesn't let them down," John Klemke said.

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