A Stanger-based lifetime racing fan made history on Sunday when he won the biggest competition prize ever offered in South African horseracing.
The lucky punter banked the R500 000 Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge must-be-won bonus for selecting the most winners on the afternoon.
After a dramatic climax to the Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge last Wednesday, when Cape Town resident Russell Boulineaux narrowly missed the R1 475 000 all-winner bonus when his selection in the final race ran fourth, the 37 year old Sandeep Lall, aka ‘Pitbull’, made no mistakes when selecting more winners on Sunday at Hollywoodbets Greyville, than all of his close on 16 000 competitors.
The thrilled winner!
As a once-off extra-value for the punter, the R500 000 must-be-won special was offered by Hollywoodbets for selecting the most winners on the day, on condition that no punter, or punters, won the R1,5 million progressive pool prize for picking all nine winners.
And no bonus points – which are calculated for the Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge leaderboard standings on a dividend-based winner formula – were applicable in the R500 000 must-be-won prize.
It was thus a straight number of winners, as opposed to the leaderboard standings, that counted – and an elated Sandeep was the man who came out tops, beating the field of 15 974 other players by selecting seven of the nine winners on the afternoon.
A motor mechanic by profession, and an avid racing fan since he left school at Stanger Manor, Sandeep’s selections won races 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
He was working in his garage and keeping an eye on the progressive standings on Sunday afternoon – and conceded that he was shocked when Muzi Yeni got the 50 to 1 Great Affair home for Nathan Kotzen in the fifth. He hadn’t selected the son of Gimmethegreenlight.
“There are clearly many smart racing minds in this fantastic competition that found the longshot. I saw I was in a 200-plus position on the leaderboard after that race, and I felt slightly deflated as I continued working on the engine I was busy with. The contestants who found Great Affair were obviously dominant, due to their big points haul after his victory. But my girlfriend, Mirosha, pointed out to me later that I had found seven winners and had to have a chance in the R500 000 bonus chase. I was quietly confident, without getting too excited!”
Sandeep, who says that his punting life improved twenty lengths when Hollywoodbets opened in Stanger, is one of those very fortunate men whose girlfriend actually punts too.
“We study form together and compare notes on the KZN racemeetings. It’s lovely having a shared interest. She is also a player in the Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge. And when I’m busy at work, I often ask Mirosha – who is a Nurse – to arrange a Top-Up Voucher for my Hollywoodbets account. I know many guys whose partners may not be that co-operative and helpful with those kind of racing related requests, during working hours particularly,” he laughs.
As to his winners list on Sunday, Sandeep feels that many were not very difficult to find, but that his most inspired choice was Chantyman, who won the topliner Pinnacle Stakes under Lyle Hewitson at 10 to 1.
“He is a horse with good ability but has his problems. He has been in my black book for a while – I have been keeping an eye on him. He certainly paid me back today!”
We asked what his plans were with his mega R500 000 windfall.
“It’s the biggest payout I have won in over 18 years. And my bet was entirely free – a genuine bonus! I am digesting the shock still! I owe Mirosha a nice break. I’m not sure what holiday options are available in the lockdown but will look to go somewhere for a week. We work very hard and I think we have earned a break.”
As to his challenge pseudonym, ‘Pitbull’, Sandeep explains that he has loved the breed all his life.
“It has no connotations! I’m a dog lover. Besides my passion for horses and racing.”
The standard Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge daily R10 000 prize shared by the Top 20 on the points leaderboard was won by ‘Glow’ on 168.99, who selected the longshot Great Affair – a horse not found by Sandeep, as we have pointed out.
There was further drama at the same venue on Monday afternoon, when player JakesR selected the first 7 winners on the card and went into the last race with a R1 million all-winner bonus prize running on favourite Hereinafter.
Anton Marcus hit the front on the filly but was run out of it in the last stride by longshot Foxy Lady, on whom Jarryd Samuel rode a cracker.
It was heartbreak for JakesR, who was driving home when the Sporting Post phoned him. He tells his story later.
Racing returns to Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday, where the progressive prize for a 100% winner selection stands at R1 025 000. A R10 000 prize must be won and is shared by the leaderboard top twenty.
Click on the image to register early!
