Steve Potts came to Sandown Park to enjoy a night at greyhound racing’s biggest night and went home $10,000 richer.
As part of the entertainment package at the world’s richest greyhound race, one lucky patron was given the opportunity to spin the Sandown Super Wheel for the chance to win $600,000 cash. It was an opportunity Potts almost missed.
“I almost didn’t put an entry form in,” he said with a laugh.
“When I got there I got distracted and thought ‘I’ll fill in my entry form in a minute.’ I only just remembered to get my form in before the barrel closed.”
Which was fortunate, because Potts’ name was drawn from the barrel and he won the opportunity to spin the wheel with a $600,000 cash first prize.
“It was all a blur. I can’t remember a whole lot about it but I do remember looking out at the crowd and I couldn’t believe how many people were there, I was in shock.”
Despite a big spin of the wheel and the urging of the excited crowd, Potts missed out on the $600,000 main prize but did pick up $10,000 cash.
Potts came to TAB Melbourne Cup night for a night out with his three sons but it wasn’t his first time at Sandown Park. His first experience of the sport came three years ago when he joined his suburban footy club, the Glen Waverley Hawks, at one of Sandown Park’s popular ‘Club Challenge’ Days. He enjoyed it so much that he decided to get involved.
“I’ve been to the club days with the Hawks for the last few years,” he said.
“The first club day I went to I thought it was something I’d like to get into so I made some enquiries. I ended up buying a pup with my step father at the start of last year and went through the whole process of getting her to the track. We named her Lightwood Miss – named after the road the track is on because that’s where we wanted her to race.”
Since making her racing debut in July, Lightwood Miss not only raced at Sandown Park, but won at her first appearance at the track on the Melbourne Cup Tuesday holiday meeting.
“It was a huge thrill. She got beaten in her final the following Sunday by the dog that she beat in the heat, but that’s greyhound racing. It was just great to win a race at Sandown. Hopefully we can get back there soon.
“She goes OK so hopefully she can win a few more for us. She’ll make a beautiful pet, I live down by the water at Frankston so when she retires she’ll have a life with me running around at the beach.”
While he missed the $600,000 top prize on the Super Wheel, Potts has already worked out where his $10,000 windfall will be spent.
“I’ll probably buy another pup,” he said without hesitation.
“I really do enjoy it, and it was great to be there on a such a big night last Friday. Greyhound racing is something I want to get more involved in.
“I’ve also been planning a holiday to Europe so whatever is left over will go towards that.”
Click here for more on ‘The Day Of The Dog, Sandown’s famous Club Challenge race days.
Click here for a full wrap from TAB Melbourne Cup night.
TAB Melbourne Cup night is the most spectacular night in greyhound racing
