Tom commenced fielding as a bookmaker in 1967, initially harness meetings at Londonderry before moving to thoroughbreds at provincial tracks in 1975. In 1986 he was offered a stand in the outer ring at Randwick and in 1989 was promoted to the rails where he remained for over a decade. He now fields at Kembla Grange. Initially trained in accountancy, it was a bookmaking uncle who got Tom to the track, convincing authorities to allow him to begin as clerk while aged only 18 (21 being the limit). Finding oncourse to be “more fun”, Tom soon ditched accountancy to focus on a different set of books. Although loving racing (he confesses it’s “always been his sport”) Tom has based his bookmaking on the mathematical angle of building a book rather than using his opinions. This hasn’t always been the best method with, for example, his correct tip for the 1991 Melbourne Cup duly saluting (Let’s Elope) yet still being the worst result on the race! A NSW Bookmakers Co-Op member for decades, in 1999 Tom worked to try and garner support from bookmakers across Australia for the continuation of fractional odds displays rather than the switch to decimal. Despite his efforts this was ultimately unsuccessful, the result being that bookmakers lost a point of difference with the TAB. The Australian Turf Club recognises Tom’s significant contribution to racing across his 58 years and wishes him well into the future. TOM BINGLE
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