Blind Gambler wins 500K

[dave nz]

Blind punter wins $500,000

By RAY THOMAS

April 18, 2006

AN 83-year-old war hero stunned the Randwick betting ring yesterday when he placed a winning cash bet of $100,000 on Racing To Win in the Doncaster Handicap.

Earlier in the day Allan Inglis sidled up to a tote window using a walking frame and asked to place the mammoth cash wager.
There was a suspicion that Inglis, who is not recognised as a big punter, did not have the money to place the bet but he then produced a blue bag stuffed with cash and asked to put the lot on Racing To Win.

"He's had $100,000 cash on the tote on Racing To Win," a betting ring insider told The Daily Telegraph.

"The girls behind the (tote) window took about 15 minutes to count the cash because he had a lot of small notes."

Visually impaired Inglis, a World War II pilot, said he had never placed such a big bet in his life before.

"I've been coming to Randwick for the Doncaster for 60 years," he said.

"I've had some luck over the years but nothing like this. I would never have thought I'd be putting $100,000 on the horse."

Inglis said he could not see or hear the Doncaster being run because of the huge crowd at Randwick and was unsure he had won until some minutes after the race.

When asked why was he so confident about Racing To Win's chances, Inglis said he has been friends with the horse's part-owner, Penny Yan, for nearly 40 years and her confidence was infectious.

"Last year, Penny and her partner Trevor Stuckey put off a trip to Canada for a week so they could watch Racing To Win have his first start at Canterbury," Inglis said.

"I took the tip and backed him that day. I have backed the horse in every start he has had since."

Inglis was escorted by a security guard to the tote window more than an hour after the last race where he was given a cheque of $490,000.

He was then escorted by the security guard safely to a waiting vehicle.

Inglis' incredible punt was responsible for Racing To Win opening up a shock $4 favourite for the Doncaster on the tote and with Bookmakers.

Racing To Win, ridden by Glen Boss, eventually started at $4.40 with Bookmakers and won the Doncaster by a half length.

On the NSW TAB, the three-year-old paid $4.90 for a $1 win dividend. This means the elderly punter will collect $490,000 for his winning bet, a profit of $390,000 on his investment.

Bookies on-course were also stung by the sensational betting plunge on Racing To Win.

Leading bookie Con Kafataris said the Doncaster was a losing result for him after he accepted a wager of $200,000 to $55,000 on Racing To Win.

"I was surprised Racing To Win came up so short ($4) on the tote at the start of the day until I learned of the big cash bet," Kafataris said.

"At those odds, Racing To Win was a risk but the punters kept coming for him and one of my clients had $200,000 to $55,000 on the winner."

Col Tidy said the Doncaster was a great betting race as punters backed all 14 runners.


The Daily Telegraph

[jaypasco]

good for him

[dave nz]

Thanks Pudge, I'm sure If he were to read this your words would mean alot to him. From one pro gambler to another.

[jaypasco]

indeed

[Henry09]

Sounds like he was bowling to me.