80-year-old man turns $5 punt into $100k

An 80-year-old Masterton man who punts "to keep his brain active" has pulled off one of New Zealand racing's greatest ever bets. Photo / Thinkstock.

An 80-year-old Masterton man who punts "to keep his brain active" has pulled off one of New Zealand racing's greatest ever bets.

He correctly predicted the winners of eight races at the Christchurch greyhounds at Addington last night, outlaying just $5 at his local pub on fixed odds to return a staggering $111,565 --- at odds of 22,112 to 1.

While there have been bigger fixed odds collects from all up bets, known as multi bets, in New Zealand nobody has come close to that sort of return for just $5 bet on greyhound racing.

The man is a casual member of the greyhound industry and owns a few dogs but says he wants to remain anonymous.

"I pick my own bets and study the form to keep me sharp," he told the TAB.

He recently got out of hospital and intends on spending some of his winnings to buy his kids "some nice Christmas presents."

TAB bookmaker Thad Taylor says he is thrilled for the punter.

"Sure, at the time we are yelling for the last leg to get beat but the bottom line is it won by a mile," said Taylor.

"And it is a great story so we feel happy for the guy, what he did is pretty amazing.
"You never begrudge anybody a win, especially not something like this."

Most of the eight winning greyhounds were well favoured, with prices ranging from $1.40 to $3.50 but the real boosts to the overall return were $5 winner Laredo and the $12 upsetter Adroit.

How he did it:

The man placed a $5 multi on eight legs at the Christchurch greyhounds. He correctly guessed eight winning greyhounds, some which were more favoured than others.

R2 - Sozin's Comet $2.60

R4 - Spud Gun

R5 - Adroit $12

R6 - Laredo $5

R8 - Little Regus $3.50

R9 - Dream Collector $1.40

R10 - Cawbourne Queen $3

R11 - Fast Archer $3