SENSATIONAL DIVIDEND.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2727, 1 May 1924, Page 2

SENSATIONAL DIVIDEND.

A sensational dividend of over iitlO was paid at the Avondale racc oji Saturday on Karamu, the rank outsider of a large field in the Hob-.-onviiic Hurdles, which made a remarkable ruu iu the closing stages and snatched victory bv a neck. The amount is the largest ever returned on the totaiisator in the Auckland district (states the “Post’s” correspondent,). Excitement was intense as the dividend was posted on/ the pay-out windows of the totaiisalor house to see the lucky inveslois coliect their haul. The number of tickets taken out on Karamu was only twelve, of which ten were 10/licKets and two £I, making the total amount invested on the horse £7. ft is said that Mr"\V. J. Hawkins, the owner, did not share in the prenomeual return made by Karamu, but that his father held a £1 ticket. The trainer, Mr E. Gilchrist, of Ellers lie, is also slated not to have fancied the chance of the animal, which has been under his care only a few weeks. A friend of All'. Hawkins, however, is reported to have been more venturesome, and to have put £1 oil the horse. A Hindu, who was said to have three It)s tickets on liie winner, was surrounded by a great crowd as he iefL the lot&lisalor staking rolls of notes into every pocket. He was eioseiy sur- . rounded by fellow-countrymen, who hud evidently decided to get him av. ay from the course as quickly as possible. They worked towards the gales, fulowed by a good-humoured crowd, and then an enterprising taxi driver quickly sizing up the situation, escorted them to his car. The search for Chinamen, who are popularly supposed to participate in all large dividends proved futile but there was some talk of a Maori woman who had been lucky enough to strike the winner. It was the lirst victory Karamu had registered, but the horse ran third in a hurdle event last year. The record dividend of Kew Zealand, and it is staled for the world, was that of four figures paid by VVairoa Bell, C an obscure trotter, at Kelson in March, HI2U. i -