By Caryl Williamson
Once known as the world's biggest bookmaker, Bill Waterhouse was noncommittal about his ledger as he called the odds for the last time at Randwick on Saturday.
"I wish" was his answer when asked if he was winning on the day.
The 88-year-old's retirement from the betting ring coincided with the day commemorating the 150th anniversary of the first race at Sydney's premier track.
Steady rain meant a smaller than expected crowd but those who did venture out were treated to a history lesson of the Australian turf with memorabilia and great horses of the past on display.
Champions Saintly and Might And Power were joined in a parade by Randwick favourites Racing To Win and Grand Armee.
The current darling of the track, Hot Danish, did her bit by winning the Doomben 10,000 in Brisbane.
For Waterhouse, the day was low-key compared to the days when thousands crowded his stand to take him on.
The Australian Jockey Club (AJC) presented the bookmaker with a silver platter in honour of his retirement, a far cry from the day the committee barred him and his son Robbie for their part in the Fine Cotton ring-in scandal of the 1980s.
"I never thought I would be standing here with you all on my last day as a bookmaker," Waterhouse said.
"I'm 88 years of age, I've had a lovely life and my passion has always been racing.
"It hasn't been an easy task but I've had the family on my side all the way.
"There's so much to be thankful for as racing has been always so interesting and exciting and fulfilling.
"I'd also like to thank the punters because without them we wouldn't have the sport of racing."
Waterhouse was famous for his betting duels with the big punters of the past who sported colourful nicknames including the "Filipino Fireball" Felipe Ysmael, the "Hong Kong Tiger" Frank Duval and Ray "Hoppy" Hopkins.
He also took what is believed to be the first $1 million bet on a horse race when Ysmael challenged him to a wager on a race at a country Victorian track in 1968.
Ysmael won the bet but was still left owing money to Waterhouse at the end of the day.
After the Fine Cotton ban, Waterhouse was readmitted to the track in 2002.
The Waterhouse bookmaking legacy will live on with his son Robbie and grandson Tom who operates out of Melbourne.