Canberra Racing Club member goes agonisingly close to $96,000 win

Bob Jones has been a member of the Canberra Racing Club for almost 40 years and when his health allows, he’s at every race meeting, on his regular table in the Black Opal Room.

A loyal member but also an eagle-eyed punter it seems, as Bob tipped the first five winners in the Canberra Racing Club Members Tipping Competition on Saturday, 27 January, meaning he only needed his selection in the last to win and the $96,000 prize was all his. 

“It would have paid for my birthday dinner a couple of nights before.” Bob laughed.

“I was nervous. Excited. I’ve never been that close before.”

Canberra Racing Club Members have free & exclusive access to the competition that is held on every Canberra racing meeting. To win, an entrant must pick the last six winners on the card.

Bob who has dialysis on Friday, but sometimes is given a reprieve by doctors and nurses so he cant attend the races, and his wife Gloria enter the competition every race day. 

Their hopes rested on that of Tim Martin’s Taxpayer, a $2.10 favourite, to get the job done in the last race on the day.

“He was in front, and then skipped a couple lengths clear.” Jones said. “I was definitely nervous then.”

Unfortunately for Bob and Gloria, Taxpayer was to find the speed a little too much, relinquishing the lead and finishing in fourth. 

The Members Tipping Competition jackpot now sits at $98,000, free to enter and exclusive to members of the Canberra Racing Club. 

“I’ll be entering again next week.” Jones said. 

Pictured: A nervous Bob Jones briefs with CRC staff before the last leg of the $96,000 Members Tipping Competition