Neville commenced as a bookmaker in 1973, registered in the Hunter and North West Racing Association. Initially fielding across thoroughbred meetings throughout the region at tracks such as Armidale, Tamworth and Inverell, Neville also had a passion for the trots and worked harness meetings at the same venues, as well as some greyhound races. Bookmaking has been largely a hobby with the country cup and carnival meetings being particularly attractive to Neville. Towns with long standing events such as Deep Water (racing for160 years running) and Glen Inness have featured in his yearly calendar. An annual highlight was the Wallabadah New Years Day meetings, a picnic event that ran for 170 years drawing crowds of over 5,000 before having to cease in 2021. Neville has also been a regular attendee at country carnivals such as Grafton and Coffs Harbour throughout the years. Although declaring himself to be a “careful bookie”, Neville has also been one to base his judgements on his reading of the form rather than the mathematics. Most races he will have, and bet based on, an opinion…somewhat risky at times! Bookmaking has also been a team game for Neville, with his wife working alongside him as his clerk throughout much of his fielding career. The Australian Turf Club recognises Neville’s significant contribution to racing across his 52 years and wishes him well into the future. NEVILLE WATERS
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