The grandfather of three said it was a high-pressure job which left little room for mistakes.
"You know there is a lot of punting money out there on [a race] and a few years ago we had to make sure we didn't start a race over a minute late because the clubs missed out on 6 per cent of the money. That's when the pressure was really on us.
"Mind you, horses can be hard to get started and all that but if we didn't get it underway in time we'd get a please explain,'' Humphries said.
"I'm the one who has got to do all the answering. You get used to it because safety is the number one in this job.''
Two of the most famous horses he started were Sunline and Bonecrusher.
"Bonecrusher was a special horse _ it was probably about 17 years back when I did that race in Te Rapa.''
One of five official starters who work throughout the country, Humphries covers Rotorua, Te Teko, Taupo, Waikato, Matamata, Tauranga, Te Aroha, Te Rapa and Te Awamutu.
He said his favourite track was Te Aroha.
"It's just a lovely wide track and with all the trees around it, it is really beautiful.''
Humphries said he was only supposed to do the job for 10 years but loved it so much he continued until this year and will finish at the end of the racing season in July.
To honour his commitment to racing, Racing Rotorua has named the fourth race after Humphries.
"I'm humbled by the gesture it's a very nice thought.''
Humphries said he would miss the thrill of being a starter.
"That is where all the action is, at the start, once the race is on the way. Even trainers tell me they are very concerned at the start. That their horse gets away good. That's my main thing, that they all get away together.''
Humphries has six staff _ handlers who bring the horses into the gates and make sure everything is clear and ready to race.
He said the scariest moment in his career was when one of the handlers led a horse into the stall and climbed out the front of the stall.
"This fella walked through and out the front and I let them go [started the race]. Well [the horse] clipped him only. I was very lucky. I hadn't seen him take the horse into the gate. We've [starters] all done it.''
Humphries said racing was not as popular as it used to be.
"The glory days are gone now. I think a lot of people don't come to the races because it's on TV. Why bother coming to the races if you can stay at home and watch it from there.
"It's sad really, it was always a good family day out to bring the kids along and watch the races.''
His assistant, Matamata's John Moody, will take over.
"Every starter has an assistant and he was just like me. I was someone's assistant then I eventually took over. Now he is taking over from me.''
The first race at Arawa Park begins at 12.24pm.
