Monster wager: TAB ‘Winx punter’ places record $550,000 on mare in her farewell Queen Elizabeth win

The ‘Winx wonder punter’ has almost stolen the champion mare’s swan song by placing the biggest bet ever placed with the TAB in her farewell appearance — and, as usual, she has delivered.

In Winx’s past 19 races, Michael has gone big.

How big?

“I’ve outlaid just over $2.2 million on Winx over that time, which averages out to be $120,000 a race,’’ he said. “My profit ends with her final race at $313,000.’’

Michael — a professional-punter whose betting account sits with the TAB, won’t reveal his surname to The Sunday Telegraph.

But just like Winx, Michael was at Randwick to pulverise records.

“I had the single biggest wager since the TAB commenced fixed-odds betting with Black Caviar in her last race in March, 2013,’’ Michael said.

“That Black Caviar bet of $250,000 stood as a record for six years and I lost it last month when another punter had $345,000 on Winx.

WINX PUNTERS COME FOR WINX FOR LAST TIME

Hugh Bowman and Winx have been one constant for punters for almost four years.

“I’ve wanted my record back ever since.’’

At 3.18pm on Saturday, Michael had his record back by dropping the TAB’s biggest-ever fixed odd win bet, a lazy $550,000 at the odds of $1.06.

Michael waited until an hour before the gates crashed back in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes before unloading on the mighty mare.

In just over three minutes, Michael made $33,000.

“She probably wasn’t as explosive as I would’ve liked — but I’m happy she got the job done,’’ Michael said.

A lover of racing since he was a boy, Michael explained his temperament was similar to that of the confident, cool charm of Winx.

“I’ve always been a punter. But I’m the type of person that will go to Randwick and block everything out except the Winx race,’’ Michael said.

The Winx wonder punter, known only as Michael, waited until an hour before starting time before placing the extraordinary wager.

“I’ll watch every race, but I wouldn’t have a bet. Only on Winx.

“I’m not a ball of nerves or anything, it’s more excitement. That’s racing.

“When you’re getting $1.08 or $1.12 on Winx, I think to myself, that’s better than bank interest.

“I was always wary when she came back after a spell and started off at 1400m.

“That’s what happened two years ago (Warwick Stakes) when she missed the start at Randwick by four lengths over 1400m, that was a day of real nervousness.

“It becomes a process for the next minute or 90 seconds where you’re saying, can she do it?

“The money thing goes out of your mind. I look at the horse and think, is she going to lose her winning streak because she missed the start?

“Admittedly, I take a risk. But you take a risk with anything, you take a risk getting in your car and driving to work.’’

A sight worth a tidy $33,000 to the mysterious Winx punter.

Wanting to farewell Winx in-person, just like the many thousands yesterday, Michael said he appreciated the power of the champion — and not just because of his winnings.

“It’s like losing a member of the family,’’ Michael said.

“It’s something I’ve looked forward to it, as it has a lot of people.

“She’s got the charisma like Muhammad Ali, when he boxed. Everyone was just waiting for his next fight.

“It’s not just a racing piece of history, it’s a sporting piece of history.

“We’ll never see this again in our lifetime. Your grandchildren won’t see this.

“This is a sporting event of monumental proportions. If Randwick could fit 100,000, you’d get 100,000 people there.

“We’re so fortunate to see it.’’

LET IT RIDE

If a TAB punter had had the foresight to put $10 on Winx when she started her winning streak in the 2015 Sunshine Coast Guineas then let the winnings ride on every start since, the return would be a staggering $730,284.60.

2019

$1.06 Queen Elizabeth Stakes

$1.05 George Ryder Stakes

$1.08 Chipping Norton Stakes

$1.10 Apollo Stakes

2018

$1.25 Cox Plate

$1.10 Turnbull Stakes

$1.10 Colgate Optic White Stakes

$1.24 Winx Stakes

$1.24 Queen Elizabeth Stakes

$1.16 George Ryder Stakes

$1.09 Chipping Norton Stakes

2017

$1.18 Cox Plate

$1.20 Turnbull Stakes

$1.12 George Main Stakes

$1.09 Chelmsford Stakes

$1.10 Warwick Stakes

$1.12 Queen Elizabeth Stakes

$1.24 George Ryder Stakes

$1.22 Chipping Norton Stakes

$1.15 Apollo Stakes

2016

$1.80 Cox Plate

$1.24 Caulfield Stakes

$1.08 George Main Stakes

$1.26 Warwick Stakes

$1.75 Doncaster Mile

$1.90 George Ryder Stakes

$1.35 Chipping Norton Stakes

$1.60 Apollo Stakes

2015

$4.20 Cox Plate

$2.90 Epsom

$3.60 Theo Marks Stakes

$2 Queensland Oaks

$2.65 Sunshine Coast Guineas

$10 outlay @ 33 wins = $730,284.60

TAB’S BIGGEST FIXED ODDS BETS ON WINX

$550,000 at $1.06 in the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes

$345,000 at $1.05 in the 2019 George Ryder Stakes

$280,000 at $1.08 in the 2019 TAB Chipping Norton Stakes

$271,540 at $1.06 in the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes

$266,000 at $1.07 in the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes

$259,000 at $1.06 in the 2019 George Ryder Stakes

$250,000 at $1.08 in the 2019 Apollo Stakes

$246,917 at $1.06 in the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes

$239,000 at $1.09 in the 2019 TAB Chipping Norton Stakes

$230,000 at $1.06 in the 2019 George Ryder Stakes

$225,000 at $1.09 in the 2019 Apollo Stakes

$219,000 at $1.10 in the 2019 Apollo Stakes

$201,200 at $1.22 in the 2018 Cox Plate

$179,000 at $1.07 in the 2019 George Ryder Stakes

$170,000 at $1.16 in the 2018 Turnbull Stakes

$160,000 at $1.10 in the 2018 Turnbull Stakes

$155,000 at $1.10 in the 2018 Colgate Optic White Stakes

$155,000 at $1.10 in the 2019 TAB Chipping Norton Stakes

$150,000 at $1.10 in the 2019 Apollo Stakes

$150,000 at $1.10 in the 2019 George Ryder Stakes

$150,000 at $1.10 in the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes ** two separate bets **

$150,000 at $1.08 in the 2019 TAB Chipping Norton Stakes

$150,000 at $1.08 in the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes

$150,000 at $1.06 in the 2019 George Ryder Stakes

$140,000 at $1.12 in the 2018 Winx Stakes

$135,000 at $1.03 in the 2018 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (to place)

$132,000 at $1.10 in the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes

$130,786 at $1.07 in the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes

$124,500 at $1.18 in the 2018 Queen Elizabeth Stakes

$120,000 at $1.10 in the 2018 Colgate Optic White Stakes ** two separate bets **

$120,000 at $1.09 in the 2019 TAB Chipping Norton Stakes

$120,000 at $1.04 in the 2018 Winx Stakes (to place)

$118,800 at $1.07 in the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes

$114,000 at $1.10 in the 2018 George Ryder Stakes

$108,000 at $1.06 in the 2018 TAB Chipping Norton Stakes

$106,500 at $1.15 in the 2017 Cox Plate

$106,000 at $1.10 in the 2019 TAB Chipping Norton Stakes

$100,000 at $1.22 in the 2018 Cox Plate [two separate bets]

$100,000 at $1.15 in the 2017 Cox Plate

$100,000 at $1.09 in the 2018 TAB Chipping Norton Stakes

$100,000 at $1.09 in the 2019 TAB Chipping Norton Stakes

$100,000 at $1.07 in the 2019 George Ryder Stakes

$100,000 at $1.06 in the 2019 George Ryder Stakes ** two separate bets **

The farewell ending and money in the bank for some big punters.