The 2016 Melbourne Cup delivered another action-packed result for pubs and punters, and Max Hitchins nailed another notch in his belt of predictions.
Australia’s largest betting operator, Tabcorp, reported $141.5 million wagered at its locations throughout NSW, Victoria and the ACT across the 10-race Melbourne Cup meet. This was “in line” with turnover last year.
The big race itself attracted $94.5 million in turnover, $53.7m in NSW and $40.8 in Victoria, and a further $5.4m through Tabcorp’s online platform Luxbet.
This year’s winner, Almandin, paid $12.80 for win – and was one of the recommendations by consummate expert on all things for Australia’s biggest horse race, “Melbourne Cup Max” Hitchins.
Hitchins boasts knowledge on every Melbourne Cup ever, and said 2016 was “the most difficult Melbourne Cup field I have ever had to assess”.
Twenty-four horses took to a wet field yesterday, with Max suggesting to his admiring followers the winner would be amongst Exospheric, Almoonqith, Wicklow Brave, Heartbreak City, Big Orange and Almandin. Boldly, he did not tip the three top favourites.
Further to that he tipped Heartbreak City the likely winner, and a trifecta of Almandin, Heartbreak City and Wicklow Brave.
Tabcorp report the winning trifecta of Almandin, Heartbreak City and Hartnell – the bookies’ favourite – paid $1.541.30 on Super TAB.
‘Melbourne Cup’ Max has been the subject of many TV interviews and doyen to countless inquisitive tipsters. His record stands now at success in his ‘best six’ system 25 out of the past 29 years, including correctly predicting 15 winners.
He reports spending in excess of 300 hours each year researching the Race That Stops A Nation, and operates a subscriber service to his expertise. Hitchins preaches the sense of moderation, suggesting “a few dollars each way” on his six favourites, and the pride of relaying you “backed the winner of the Cup”.
Hitchins is a former publican and revered member of the historic 15 Club.
