The Everest is the richest race on turf. Photo: DAN HIMBRECHTS
An Aucklander has scooped up $10 million after correctly predicting the finishing order of the 12 horses in The Everest race at Royal Randwick in Sydney.
The punter was placing a bet on the Rugby World Cup when he decided to enter the TAB's The Everest Mega Millions promotion - and won.
The race had over 400 million possible finish results.
"I didn't put too much thought into my picks and just dropped the runners where I thought it could go. I honestly could not believe I'd won it. I actually thought it was a hoax when they first rang me - I called the TAB back, and it took quite a lot of convincing before it sank in," the winner said.
There was plenty of New Zealand interest in this year's edition of The Everest, with Kiwi star I Wish I Win (Wish) running in the Trackside Media slot.
Wish finished runner up behind race favourite Think About It, having been blocked for a run at a crucial stage in the straight.
For the Chittick family and all the team at Waikato Stud, being involved in The Everest with Wish was a memorable experience.
"We are so incredibly proud of I Wish I Win. He showed his trademark fighting spirit to run second and we can't thank Luke Nolen, Peter Moody, Katherine Coleman and all their team enough - our boy was in tip top condition for the race. If we'd had just a bit more room at the right time in running, we may well have seen a different result," Waikato Stud principal Mark Chittick said.
Betting turnover on The Everest race with the TAB was more than double last year, generating a total of $1.85 million putting it second on the TAB's highest turnover thoroughbred race list, going from 10th to second - behind only the Melbourne Cup.