BIG DIVIDEND AT AUCKLAND

Chronicle (Levin), 13 November 1946, Page 6

BIG DIVIDEND AT AUCKLAND

LDCKY BACKEKS CHEEBBD Great excitement was caused at th Auckland Racing Club's meeting ai Ellerslie last Saturday when Ra Orawinner of the sixth race, the Takapuna Handicap, paid over £220 to win anc over £25 for a place. The victory oi Ra Ora was the greatest surprise win that has occurred at Ellerslie for some time. Only £35 10s was invested upqn Ra Ora on the win machine and £125 o h the place totalisator. Oue of the lucky bettors 'was an aged Maori, .whose investraent was £1 xor a win. A woraan racegoer had £1 e'ach way and a former owner of Ra Ora had the saine investraent. Ra Ora is a six-year-old raare and-it had not won previously. On Saturday it was having only its second start since running at Ellerslie ih June, 1945. „ Record. Recalled Many people went to the baclt of the totalisator to see the fortunate bettofs receive their mouey. Cheering broke out araong the cruwd when the aup porters of Ra Ora took their place i'n the dividend queues. Several of the lucky ones betrayed a fair axuount oi excitement, which was not to be wondered at. Tlie backing of a horse- which pays over £200 is a rare thrill. The record New Zealand dividend is £1033 for thc solitary silpporter oi Wairoa Beile in a trotting event at Nelson in March, 1920. The iargest dividend for the Auckland district was Karamu 's return of £443 in the Hobsonville Hurdles at Avondale in April, 1924. Ilbwever, it was only slightly above the dividend of Billy Peach, which paid £440. when it scored in the Ellerslie Handicap on January 1, 1943. Auckland O-wrxer A recent surprise at Ellerslie was the success of Susan Lee in the Carbine Plate on June 3 this year. Susan Lee paid over £110 to win. Another big dividend in the Auckland district was that of Foxsen, whose return when it took the Claudelands Handicap at Te Rapa iu Noveraber, 1944, wasTovcr £190. Ra Ora is owned and trained by Mr. J. E. Olney, of Auckland, and was ridden by the 15-year-old apprcntice E. Harrison, who has ridden several otlier horses that have returned good dividends. During its career Ra Ora has started 26 tiraes and the best it was able to do before winning on Saturday. was to register two seeonds. The horse rau disappointingly in the early part of its racing days, and passed through the hands .of several trainers. It has been in the ownership of Mr. Olney for about two years. . J \