Dogged Ian races off with $4400

By Glen Atwell
NOBLE PARK resident Ian Berry has gone to dogs – but he’s not complaining.
The 58-year-old attended the Sandown Park Melbourne Cup meeting last Thursday night, but didn’t expect to be going home $4400 richer.
Ian entered the Big Punt competition, that gave eight lucky winners a $1000 bet each on one greyhound in the Melbourne Cup race.
After being drawn from the initial barrel, Ian randomly drew Betty’s Angel, a $4.40 chance on the TAB – he knew he was in with a chance.
“I was actually going to back Betty’s Angel anyway, when I drew her, I couldn’t believe it, I started to get a bit nervous,” Ian said.
From the moment the race jumped, Ian couldn’t contain himself and screamed Betty’s Angel home for the entire 515-metre journey.
His now favourite greyhound didn’t let him down, leading all the way to record a convincing win.
So caught up in the celebrations, Ian had dropped his mobile phone but according to his daughter Tanya, didn’t even realise.
“Dad’s phone flew out of his pocket when he was jumping around, it scooted along the ground and he didn’t even know,” she said.
With his phone safely recovered, Ian realised he had lost something else – his voice.
“I couldn’t talk, I was screaming that hard my voice was shot,” he laughed.
Ian was once a regular at Sandown Park, but prior to the Melbourne Cup, hadn’t been for years.
“I used to come all the time, but hadn’t been for ages, so when Tanya asked if I was interested, I jumped at the idea,” Ian said.
It proved to be a good investment.
“I can’t believe I won $4400, I don’t know what I’m going to do with it, Christmas is coming up I guess,” he said.
“My wife Connie is at work, she’ll be over the moon, I’m just about to ring her.”
Looks like Ian’s mobile phone came in handy after all.
Turn to Star Sport for full coverage of the Melbourne Cup.