The Score: Punter’s Brooks Koepka bet falls short, Adam Houlihan’s next career move and Andrew McDonald’s Siddle Shield final call
You’ve got to feel for the punter who stood to win $856,000 if Brooks Koepka claimed the US Masters as the last leg of a long-running multi bet. Plus news on Adam Houlihan, Peter Siddle and a rising track and field talent.
The Score
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It was Kenny Rogers who once told us gambling was all about knowing when to hold ‘em, and knowing when to fold ‘em.
And such was the case with a TAB Punter who had a number of chances to walk away with over $100,000 during the US Masters, but who ended up with nothing.
It all began last October when he placed three separate four-leg multi bets beginning with Winx in the Cox Plate ($1.20), Cross Counter the Melbourne Cup ($15) and Aristia VRC Oak ($8). All were successful, meaning he had his fourth leg in Brooks Koepka running for a staggering $856,800 in the Masters.
Because he had three bets, he had the ability to cash out at any time, such as after Koepka was leading the first round and a total cash-in was $126,000, or $42,000 for one bet.
The cash out figure was $100,000 after three rounds when Koepka was three shots off the lead, tied for second.
And as the big American stood on the Par 3 12th tee in the final round, his cash out figure had grown to $210,000 before he all but ruined his chances with a double bogey 5. But still no action from our punter, who decided to take the Richard Dreyfuss approach by Letting It Ride.
Sadly, unlike the character played by Dreyfuss in a movie of the same name, he won zilch when Koepka lost by a stroke to Tiger Woods. How do you get over that one?
Siblings following in mum or dad’s footsteps was an interesting side note to last week’s national track and field championships.
One name to note was the son of Lee Naylor, a two-time Olympic 400m runner who ran in the Sydney 2000 Olympics alongside Cathy Freeman.
Her boy, Max Holmes, won the silver medal in the U/18 400m hurdles which earned him selection in the Australian team for the Oceania Championships in Townsville in June.
AFL recruiters are certainly aware of Holmes’ athletic ability with the 16-year-old already on the radar with some impressive performances with Melbourne Grammar.
Under the tuteledge of new Grammar coach, former Demon Brad Green, Holmes was best-on-ground in last week’s annual clash with Adelaide school St Peter’s College.
He’s also on the Sandringham Dragons list and expected to play some NAB League games later in the season.
Other children of famous athletes to be following in their footsteps include Jack Peris (son of Commonwealth gold medallist Nova), Connor Murphy (son of triple-jumper Andrew), Bailey Culbert (son of Olympic long-jumper David) and Cassidy Bradshaw (daughter of former Commonwealth decathlete representative Chris).
It’s always fascinating to see what pathways former AFL players find themselves travelling.
Adam Houlihan played 94 games for Geelong and Richmond before setting up a successful merchandise business.
But it’s his latest career move which has tongues wagging literally with Houlihan and his partner Lauren buying a luxury pet retreat.
Rothwell Run, which is at the foothills of the You Yangs, takes looking after cats and dogs to a whole new level with swimming pools and climate control rooms all part of the deal.
There are even TVs for the pets and BBQ areas for owners to relax while their animals are getting pampered.
Naturally every good business needs ambassadors with Houlihan’s former teammate Matthew Scarlett and Geelong young gun Tom Stewart flying the Rothwell Run flag.
THE WHISPER
Peter Siddle was one of the feel-good stories of the Shield Final, claiming six wickets to keep his name in the Ashes mix. We hear it nearly didn’t happen with the fast bowler out of the team in the lead-up until coach Andrew McDonald changed his mind when he woke up on the morning of the final.
Originally published as The Score: Punter’s Brooks Koepka bet falls short, Adam Houlihan’s next career move and Andrew McDonald’s Siddle Shield final call
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