Today, she will be one of about 30 staff making sure the totalisator at Wingatui's Melbourne Cup Day runs smoothly.
"It'll be so busy; we'll be lucky if we get a cup of tea," the "70-odd"-year-old said.
Mrs Stoddart remembers joining a queue of about 150 people being interviewed for the job - and being turned away two or three hours later because there were enough candidates.
Not impressed, Mrs Stoddart wrote in and, when it was realised she had money-handling and book-keeping skills, she was hired.
In those days, there was a staff of about 130.
In the time Mrs Stoddart has worked at the races, there have been about five different types of machines.
The latest laptop system arrived about two years ago and required her to learn computer skills, she said.
"Everything is streamlined.
"It's so easy and quick - it needs to be with all the betting types we've got these days."
For at least 30 years, she was the tote's banker, although in the past few years she had trained some helpers and they now operated a roster system.
"I've never been a betting person," Mrs Stoddart said.
"All I'm worried about is two figures adding up."
While heavily involved in sport and other activities over the years, racing had always come first.
"It's fun.
"It's been a way of life for me."
Her six children had all earned their pocket money as runners or "tea ladies", graduating to the tote, but none had lasted long in the job, she said.
The work involved travelling around Otago to country meetings such as Omakau, Kurow, Tapanui, Beaumont, and Cromwell.
Today's race meetings could not compare with those early days, she said.
In those days, staff travelled by bus, playing cards on the way.
Today, they car-pooled.
"You couldn't see the places for people.
"They were good weekends.
"All good fun."
Today, Mrs Stoddart will supervise the bank and look after the sellers as the expected 10,000-strong crowd enjoys the day.
Gallop South chief executive Andre Klein said Wingatui was "looking good" for the afternoon's events. MetService was forecasting a high of 17degC, increasing high cloud and a gusty northwesterly developing.
He expected the Fashion in the Field to attract attention - part of the grand prize was a trip to Auckland to compete in the Mercedes Prix de Fashion event at the Ellerslie racecourse.
