Brad Yewers, who has been going to the Cox Plate every year for almost a decade with the same group of friends, knew he was in with a chance on Saturday.

Mr Yewers had three different bets that hinged on the favourite, Winx, winning.

In February, Mr Yewers had placed $200 on a three-leg multi-bet backing the favourites to win the Blue Diamond, Golden Slipper and Cox Plate.

He also put $20 on a four-leg multi which included the same three horses in the same three races, as well as the Australian Guineas.

“The $20 one was to win a bit over $10,000 and the $200 one was to win a bit over $15,000,” Mr Yewers said. “They all got up.

“Those races were March/April. I had to wait nearly six months for this leg. So anything could have happened. The horse could have got injured or didn’t go the races … then I don’t get a cent.

“This was my most confident leg, Winx in the Cox Plate.”

Mr Yewers also took out a bet a few months ago backing the winner of the Brownlow Medal and Cox Plate, which also paid just over $1000. 

“I hadn’t outlayed that much money. The big punters that win big money, you see them they’re putting $30,000, $40,000, $50,000 on a horse. I’ve won the same with $200,” he said.

The excitement of the win was caught on camera by his Warrnambool mate, Brendan Whelan, who missed watching the big race so he could film the celebrations.

Having just returned from an overseas holiday with his wife last week and recently renovated the kitchen in his house, Mr Yewers said he was going to put the money into the mortgage.

“I think I’m going to have a break for a little while and take stock. Cool my jets while I’m ahead and have a break,” he said.

He said with multi-bets, bookies or the TAB will often offer punters money before the last race.

“So say I stand to win $27,000, sometimes they can make an offer of like $5000 or $6000 that you can take there and then and your bet’s cancelled – to take the risk out of it and get some money because if the horse loses you get zero.” 

While Mr Yewers was not planning to take any offer if it was made because he was confident the horse would win, he said he was glad the offer never came. “I had to ride it out no matter what. It was probably a good thing.”