Meet the Shellharbour punters who have racing's version of Willy Wonka's golden ticket.
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On a Saturday morning, the 42 members drop in at the Stockland Shellharbour outlet, do a bit of form for the day and check out who has backed what for the punters club.
Everyone throws in $10 a week, some wagered, the rest saved for a bit of fun at the Christmas party.
But it all changed last week, when the club drew a winning number for the $1.3 million Kosciuszko race, to run at Royal Randwick on October 19.
Suddenly, they will be living the dream of owning a racehorse for a day, as well as the prospect of a return of about $6000 each, if their runner Handle The Truth, trained by Canberra's Keith Dryden, wins.
Alan and Kelly Montgomery have been involved with the punters club for four years, after spending time on a waiting list to be included.
"We just come down of a Saturday morning, do a bit of shopping and come in to see what the punters club is doing," he said.
"To be able to say we've got this horse for the day, it's one of those things, even if it runs last, it's a massive thing just to be part of it."
The Kosciuszko began last year as a country trainers version of the $13 million The Everest, which runs on the same day.
But where wealthy racing empires and owners buy their slot for The Everest, punters purchase $5 tickets through the TAB, with a sweepstakes draw held to determine the 14 winners.
The Shellharbour crew bought $300 worth of tickets, before Albert Tory, who has owned and bred a number of talented thoroughbreds, including Group 1 winner Single Gaze, led discussions for the Dryden runner.
Tory had previously raced horses with Dryden, so Handle The Truth quickly became their first-choice, having beaten one of the favourites Noble Boy in a trial earlier this month.
The four-year-old gelding also has wet track form, winning a Benchmark 78 at Randwick on a Heavy 8.
"That barrier trial was unbelievable," Tory said.
"I've had horses with Keith before, but when we saw that trial, that was the reason we went with it. I've had a few good horses, I'm a breeder with Single Gaze, but it's just wonderful to have this chance with the club for all the punters.
"There's plenty of shift workers and battlers among the group, so it's such a great opportunity."
Listed winner and Group 1 race runner Victorem, trained by Port Macquarie's Jenny Graham, is the $4 favourite, with Noble Boy at $4.60 and Brett Cavanough's Star Boy at $9.
Handle The Truth is on the next line of betting at $11.
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Tim Barrow
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
