By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk
Some extra spice has been added to the Boys Get Paid (BGP)’s assault on Cambridge’s Night of Champions on Friday, April 4.
For the second year BGP will be running their own Punters’ Club at Cambridge on the night but for the first time they will have some real skin in the game, with their own runner in the night’s pinnacle race.
Big spending Australian Josh Davine and BGP secured the 10th and last slot for the $1m The Race by betcha and then locked in reigning Inter Dominion champion Don Hugo. He’s a pre-draw $3.20 second favourite behind Leap To Fame with defending champion and leading Kiwi hope Merlin at $8.50.
“He’s a massive get,” BGP’s Dan Rack says of Don Hugo , “it was bit surprising as we thought he was going to Peth and was going to bypass this race.”
“We are in with a real chance.”
The $2m earner comes to New Zealand after winning his last four races at Menangle, including the Miracle Mile on March 8.
This year BGP is also super keen to “get one over the TAB” after only breaking even last year.
In 2024 they had big sized losing bets on the likes of Republican Party ($50K) and Muscle Mountain ($17K) only to ultimately get back to level with a $50K bet on both Don’t Stop Dreaming and Kango to finish top 4 in the then Race by Grins.
It came in, paying $140,179!
The Punters Club for next week’s event is open now, and so far just over $50K has been invested.
“Our goal is $200,000,” says Rack, “and the last couple of Punters Clubs have showed us that things start slowly and then ramp up in the last few days.”
Rack is at pains though to emphasise that the Punters Cup is not a get rich scheme.
“Obviously we want to make money but it’s got to the point that people think it’s guaranteed money when they put their money in which it’s not.”
“The whole idea is to be part of something big.”
“We want it to be profitable of course but we also want it to be fun and entertaining for everyone.”
There will be 10 races on the night, highlighted by The Race by betcha and the $600,000 TAB Trot.
Making the investments will be four core tipsters – Andrew Fitzgerald, Matt Markham, Troy Scanlon and Bruce “Gasso” Gasson.
“There will be one or two horses that we really like on the night,” says Rack, “and we would go backwards from there.”
“If you kick off the night with a good win you get your tails in the air, you have more ammo and it can change how you bet during the night.”
“Conversely if you get bowled over early it changes the way you bet as you try to get people their money back.”
On course BGP will have their own set-up by the finishing post. There will be room for around 150 people. They’ll each pay $100 which includes a food and beverage package.
If Don Hugo happens to win The Race by betcha then one of those BGPers will get another windfall as well.
“$5000 in cash will be given to someone in the room!” says Rack.
THE BGP PUNTERS CLUB :
How to get involved :
You can purchase a share in the BGP Punters Club directly from the TAB APP. You can no longer enter via a retail store, betting option or the online site. You must use the app.
Follow this link: https://www.tab.co.nz/hosted-group/BGPAID2024 which will take you direct to enter.
Alternatively:
1. You need to go to the TAB App and bottom right you will find ‘More’.
2. Top left you will see ‘Boys Get Paid’ – click on this.
3. You will see ‘Boys Get Paid’ under groups. If it asks for a joining code that is BGPAID2024 or BGPAID24
4. Once you have joined that you will see ‘The Pot’.
5. Select The Pot and join it and you can follow the steps to add funds.
