There are fearless gamblers and then there’s Benny Scarf, the horse racing enthusiast who has developed a cult following on Instagram in recent months by placing bets that have to be seen to be believed.
Sydney-based Scarf, 23, is the son of a former professional punter, with the sport of kings in his blood.
His rapid rise from relative online novice to must-watch race day Instagram expert was inspired by New Zealand dairy farmer Tim Myers – better known as Tim Naki on social media.
Scarf initially watched on fascinated as the Kiwi bet 10 cents for every Instagram follower he had.
At one stage Myers – who quickly went viral – was betting almost $200,000 on a single blackjack hand, and Scarf saw an opportunity.
‘If my content is a fraction as good as Tim’s, I reckon that’s pretty good,’ Scarf told Daily Mail Australia.
‘My plan was to reinvigorate racing and get younger people into the sport, and from the feedback I’ve got, I’m making an impact.’
He isn’t wrong.
Scarf began betting 50 cents for every Instagram follower on the favourite on the last race at a chosen meeting – but as his influence quickly increased, he wisely reduced that number to five cents.
Given Scarf now has 197,000 plus Instagram followers, it was an astute decision – but it means he’s still risking almost $10,000 with every bet.
Some of his big wins in recent months include Tavros at Gunnedah in May, In Flight at Rosehill in June and Fangirl at Royal Randwick last month.
Fangirl’s triumph was all the more memorable after Scarf told his legion of followers if the mare saluted, he would generously put $5000 behind the bar for thirsty drinkers at the Doncaster Hotel in the Sydney suburb of Kensington.
Incredibly, not everyone was impressed by Scarf’s shout.
‘There was one guy who complained that [advertising guru] John Singleton put $100,000 behind the bar and that I was being cheap,’ he said.
‘You could save the world and someone will still whinge, so you may as well embrace it.’
Scarf went on to confirm what many fellow punters and followers want to know – is his betting money handed to him by online bookmaker Dabble, because he has a relationship with the company?
There are fearless gamblers – and then there’s Benny Scarf (pictured), the horse racing enthusiast who has developed a cult following with his crazy punting on Instagram
Scarf bets five cents on a horse for every Instagram follower he has – meaning he’s risking almost $10,000 with every punt (pictured)
‘100 per cent it is my money,’ he said. ‘If you ever think otherwise, just go look at the veins in my neck.
‘I love the controversy, though. The mystery adds to the theatre of it.’
The punter with nerves of steel confirmed he has the support of his girlfriend and parents despite his reckless habit – but they are happy to ‘keep their heads in the sand.’
Followers love Scarf’s many catchphrases, notably ‘be gritty’ as his horse looks to gallop home and ‘one for the good guys’ following a win.
Naturally, when his chosen nag doesn’t cross the winning post first, it is a ‘win for the bad guys’, namely the TAB.
Scarf also has one notable ‘enemy’ on Instagram – a supposed fan who took the time to create his own Instagram page dubbed Benny Scarf Punt History, where he aims to ‘keep track’ of his successes and failures.
‘I find it hilarious. Good on him,’ Scarf said when asked if the man who calls himself ‘Dave’ was being petulant in his eyes.
‘He should sell an accounting service or something – he’s built a following, may as well make some coin.’
Scarf is pictured putting on a bet at his local TAB in Sydney – and he says his girlfriend and family prefer to ‘keep their heads in the sand’ over his wild gambling
As Scarf approaches Day 100 of betting on his Instagram page – which will be the Melbourne Cup on November 5 – he revealed the maximum amount of money he is willing to risk on one race, be it a Group One or maiden.
‘I think at about $11,000 I’d have to say guys, I have to lower it, this is crazy,’ the property economics graduate said.
‘Maybe I’ll hit the lottery and start betting $100,000 a race, who knows?’
When it comes to his future, Scarf is undecided.
‘I can’t give too much away, but I have big plans,’ he said.
‘I’ve really enjoyed the ride from social media… [for me] it is the greatest vehicle in the modern day to garner attention and get in front of people’s eyeballs.
‘It is just so dynamic.’
