TAB braces for another wave of money on Winx after paying out $120m during champ’s career

The TAB has paid out over $120 million on Winx during her record-breaking career and punters — big and small — are lining up to cash in on the champ in her final race, the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

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Saturday is the last chance punters get to cash in on the Winx phenomenon.

Her final start at Royal Randwick in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) has attracted plenty of interest from her fans and the punters who have cleaned up on her in the past.

Saturday’s race will be the most the TAB has ever taken on her to win a race.

The biggest hold (fixed odds only) on Winx in a race was $3.104 million in last October’s Cox Plate. The second biggest was $2.954 million in last month’s George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill on Golden Slipper day.

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Chris Waller inspects Winx after Hugh Bowman put her through her paces at Rosehill on Thursday. Picture: Toby Zerna

In last year’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes, $1.068 million was held on Winx.

TAB’s payout figure on Winx (combining Fixed Odds and tote betting) is over $120 million.

“The betting interest on Winx – particularly in the last 12 months – has been astounding when you consider how justifiably short she has been as favourite,” TAB’s Trent Langskaill said.

“Just over $1 million was placed on Winx to win last year’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes and we are anticipating that we will hold at least $3 million (Fixed Odds only) when she attempts to win her 33rd straight race on Saturday.”

Winx has been easily the most popular horse in terms of turnover with TAB Fixed Odds.

As of April 9, Winx’s turnover had reached $46,956,143 with the nearest horse, Chautauqua, at $14,337,694. Black Caviar was just under $12m.

TAB’s Nick Quinn said: “The legend of Winx has grown with every victory. Early on in her winning streak Winx was an extremely attractive betting proposition. She started $2.65 when victorious in the 2015 Sunshine Coast Guineas, $3.60 in the 2015 Theo Marks Stakes and was backed from $6 into $4.20 when she won her first Cox Plate in 2015. Even though her starting price has become much shorter than earlier in her winning streak, TAB punters have continued to back Winx heavily with each run”.

Winx has been a moneymaker for punters during her record-breaking winning streak. Picture: Tim Hunter

One TAB customer, the ‘Winx punter’, has become famous for betting very large amounts on the champion mare to win for a long time now.

Online bookmaker Sportsbet has taken 477,226 bets on Winx up until midday on Thursday and paid out $68,118,132.

Sportsbet revealed they’ve taken 498 1c bets on Winx to win.

“Winx is an absolute marvel, the punters love her and no doubt many will shed a tear for the great mare on Saturday. Even though she’s cost us a small fortune, we’ll be cheering her home one final time,’’ said Sportsbet’s Rich Hummerston.

Winx will have her final race in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday. Picture: AAP

10 BIGGEST SINGLE BETS ON WINX

$345,000 at $1.05 (2019 George Ryder Stakes)

$280,000 at $1.08 (2019 TAB Chipping Norton Stakes)

$259,000 at $1.06 (2019 George Ryder Stakes)

$246,917 at $1.06 (2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes)

$250,000 at $1.08 (2019 Apollo Stakes)

$239,000 at $1.09 (2019 Chipping Norton Stakes)

$230,000 at $1.06 (2019 George Ryder Stakes)

$225,000 at $1.09 (2019 Apollo Stakes)

$219,000 at $1.10 (2019 Apollo Stakes)

$201,200 at $1.22 (2018 Cox Plate)

BETS PLACED BY THE ‘WINX PUNTER’ WITH THE TAB

$56,000 at $1.10 (2017 Chipping Norton Stakes)

$67,000 at $1.15 (2017 George Ryder Stakes)

$75,000 at $1.10 (2017 Queen Elizabeth Stakes)

$94,150 at $1.15 (2017 Turnbull Stakes)

$106,500 at $1.15 (2017 Cox Plate)

$108,000 at $1.06 (2018 Chipping Norton Stakes)

$114,000 at $1.10 (2018 George Ryder Stakes)

$124,500 at $1.18 (2018 Queen Elizabeth Stake)

$140,000 at $1.12 (2018 Winx Stakes)

$155,000 at $1.10 (2018 Colgate Optic White Stakes)

$170,000 at $1.16 (2018 Turnbull Stakes)

$201,200 at $1.22 (2018 Cox Plate)

$219,000 at $1.10 (2019 Apollo Stakes)

$239,000 at $1.09 (2019 Chipping Norton Stakes)

$259,000 at $1.06 (2019 George Ryder Stakes)