Punter's poor decision costs him $138k

It’s the decision that cost a punter $138,000 and the moment he will remember for the rest of his life.

No doubt this Melbourne Cup was one to remember. A 100-1 outsider winning and handing trainer Darren Weir his first Cup. And even better, Michelle Payne becoming the first woman to ever ride a horse to victory in the Melbourne Cup.

But for one man it will be a Cup he will try to forget for the rest of his days and ultimately the one he will remember forever.

Having put down just $5 for a four-leg multi to pick the winner of four races on the day this unlucky man took the cash out option after three runs and would have been pretty chuffed to take $441.20.

That is until Prince of Penzance crossed in the Cup, the final horse in his four-leg multi.

If he had held his nerve and waited for that little earner he would have taken home $138,510.

Can you imagine the feeling watching Prince cross in first? The elation of everyone around you. The dread in the pit of your stomach.

It doesn’t bear thinking about.

Other punters on the day fared much better. Whenever a 100-1 shot crosses someone has to take home the goodies.

And one lucky, genius or madman, turned $9 into $125,000 by somehow nailing the first four finishers in the Melbourne Cup.

Another punter who suddenly felt the surety of the Prince put $2000 on the horse at a ridiculous $126 just 30 minutes before the race. That’s a $252,000 win.

Some Moet would have flowed.

Sportsbet.com.au listed its top bets on the record-breaking horse:

● $1000 at $101 — $101,000

● $500 at $81 — $40,500

● $250 at $101 — $25,250

● $1000 at $26 place — $26,000

● $1000 at $26 place — $26,000