A YORK punter has scooped more than £600,000 by picking six winners in six races.

The man, who has not been identified but is a caretaker from the York area, now has a chance to win another £540,000 with a free Bonus bet for a race next Saturday.

Ed Comins, a spokesman for the Tote, said today that the man's win of £606,575 in Saturday's Scoop 6 contest was the Tote's second largest pay-out.

He said the man placed a £24 stake at Corals in Stonebow on six horses, all running in races featured on Channel 4.

They were Orientor in the 1.45 at Newcastle, which had odds of 6-1, Mutawaqed in the 2.15 at Newmarket (11-2), Pearl Grey in the 2.35 at Newmarket (7-2), Unleash in the 2.50 at Newcastle (10-1), Trade Fair in the 3.10 at Newmarket (evens favourite), and Merlin's Dancer in the 3.40 at Newmarket (12-1).

After the first five horses had won, the man faced an agonising wait watching the racing at home to see if Merlin's Dancer came home first, with the danger of losing almost everything if it failed.

Mr Comins said the man had shared the potential £1.2 million with another punter. The prize was so high because Scoop 6 was in the sixth rollover week.

- Are you the lucky winner? Contact Mike Laycock on 01904 567132.

Updated: 14:15 Monday, June 30, 2003