Punter set to win $468,000 on the Melbourne Cup

THE odds were 4680-1, but one Aussie punter is just one win away from securing an obscene sum of money at the Melbourne Cup.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 12: Zac Purton poses with Fame Game from Japan after he rode the horse during a trackwork session at Werribee Racecourse on October 12, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. Fame Game is one of the favourites for Saturdays Group One Caulfield Cup. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

WHEN the Melbourne Cup kicks off on Tuesday, millions of dollars will be on the line as punters test their luck in the race that will inevitably make a dent in the savings accounts of the nation.

And one Aussie stands to lose close to half a million dollars unless his desired Fame Game takes the trophy.

Currently on the fourth leg of a rather substantial mutli-bet, the punter known only as Simon has experienced a dream run to put himself in line to win a total $468,000 on Race 7 at Flemington.

Having made the bet close to two months ago, Simon laid out $100 to pick the winners of four of the country’s biggest race meets.

And with odds of 4680 to one, picking four from four was not going to be an easy task.

Having successfully negotiated the Epsom Handicap, The Metropolitan and The Caufield Cup, Melbourne’s biggest race is all that stands between Simon and an incredible sum of money.

The lucky punter spoke with KIIS FM’s Hughesy and Kate, and said the bet wasn’t his first crack at the cash.

“I was crazy enough about two months ago to start. This wasn’t my only bet, this was my biggest one, and it’s the only one that has collectively started to win,” he said.

“I’ve put on probably about two grand. Over the journey I was having these little $50 bets, and then for some reason I saw the odds at 4680 to one and thought ‘Bugger it, I’ll put $100 on it’.”

Jockey Zac Purton will ride Fame Game as the favourite to win the Melbourne Cup.

When Simon made the bet, Fame Game’s odds were a far cry away from the $4.80 that has it placed as the race favourite.

“It’s been backed right in. I was told by a couple of mates a while ago that said ‘this thing just wins’, and its just kept coming in. So I’ve always felt it as going to win, I guess now just all the pressure is on. I’m bloody nervous I’ll give you the tip,” Simon told KIIS FM presenters.

Having been given the option to cash out before the final leg of the multi, the business owner estimated he turned his back on close to $100,000.

“After the Caufield Cup, my business partner spoke to an account manager and they offered me, via him, $70,000 for the ticket.

“That was two weeks ago. Given they have all gone for it and it has shortened in the market, I'd imagine it is closer to $100,000 now.

“I don’t want to win small, I want to win big. This is a once in a lifetime.”

And with nearly half a million on the line, the race will either be a life-changing jump, or a brutal reality check for this Aussie risk-taker.

The Melbourne Cup will commence at 3pm Tuesday (AEDT), as race seven at Flemington.

Originally published as Punter set to win $468,000 on the Melbourne Cup