PICKING THE WINNERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 189, 12 August 1925, Page 9

PICKING THE WINNERS.

ON THE LAWN AT RICCARTON

A "LUCKY" OFFICER.

(By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") CHRISTCHURCH, this day. "I'm pickin' Bur-r-kenella for this; I like the colours of his tunic," announced a soft drawling voice from the j of a group of four officers. They were I standing on the lawn at Riccarton yesterday afternoon, watching the races. "I think they're gone," said another voice with a similar accent. Then, "I wish I'd brought a telescope. Birkenella's in the lead. I always knew. I'd have luck at this sort of thing. Birkenella's down! Xo, he"s comin , up now. I always did have luck. It's near as good as a ball game." The horses flashed past the post, Birkenella a close second. "I told you I had luck, Burrkenella wins. I always" did have luck." "X"o," said a bystander. "Birkenella's second." Then (gloomily), "There's no second money in this race." '•It's all right," said the American. "I wasn't spendin' money on this race anyhow." i '•That's a great gadget they start 'em on," said one of the Americans. "How does it work?" "It goes tip, and the horses get away." "That's groat. I'd like to sec it go. Does someone pull a lever, or docs it go on an automatic hoist!' But nobody could tell him. The man ■to whom the*question was addressed left j for the payout windows. I "I thought that guy knew and would : take us over and show us," said the i American in disappointed tones. Id ilike to see how they do it. They cant > do it so well over there in the Mates. i rV couple of young ladies standing j nearby had been- holding a whispered Conversation in the meantime. Appar- ! entlv heartened by the luck of the i Americans, they approached the group with the resolution of confirmed auto-j j graph hunters. I "Will you pick us the winner of the i next race - ?" . j -'Aw. now, I don't know anything j ' about it." said the officer with his best I smile. But the ladies persisted, and I thrust the booklet into his hand. It ! was a big field, too. The officer turned ' over the pages, and reiterated his ignori ance. a "AYell I like this one," lie said, pointing to number 2 "He's got a nice name, •but I don't know anything about it." Just then there was a general movement towards the total isator. At least one modest punter - followed - tho - man j

who "always had luck at this sort ef thing," and, like him, took a ticket on Xo. 2. Outside on the lawn the American hailed a friend. "Say, I gave them one of those pounds at the tote, and she gave mc this back:" He produced a .ten-shilling note for his friend's examination. "That's all right, she didn't get you." After alLhis luck was not so very good. No. 2 finished with the rearguard.