AUTOPAY'S SUCCESS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 96, 20 October 1931, Page 9

AUTOPAY'S SUCCESS

OWNERS RETURN

After a profitable visit to Australia, where their horse, Autopay, won the Epsom Handicap at the A.J.C.. Spring Meeting, Messrs. N. E. Aitken. and H. F. Wood, joint owners, returned to Wellington to-day by the Maunganui from Sydney. Speaking to a "Post" representative, Mr. Aitken said that when he and Mr. Wood left New Zealand about eight weeks ago they had great hopes that their horse would, do well in Australia. Their, hopes had been fully realised, for Autopay had won three races in a fortnight. His performance was a record one, for he was not headed in any of the three races. "Many Australians would not have Autopay in the Epsom at Eandwick, because they thought he could not go a mile," said. Mr. Aitken. "The horse, however, accomplished one thing in the race that had not been done for forty years, and that was to lead from the start to the finish. The people- were not slow to realise his performance, and they certainly gave the horse and his jockey (M. M'Carten) a wonderful reception on their return to the birdcage." Before winning the Epsom at Eandwick, Autopay won the Camellia I Stakes at Bos'ehill and the Plying Handicap at Hawkesbury. \ • , Speaking on general topics, Mr. "Aitken said he thought that the totalizator at Eandwick, where a race-goer could back a horse for a straight-out win or for a placing (first, second, or third), was an excellent innovation, and he was of the opinion that'it would be a great success if adopted in tho Dominion. He also thought that bookmakers should bo licensed in New Zealand as they wore in Australia. The Australian betting system was much fairer than the Jifew, Zealand,, because it: enabled an Howncr to back his horse'and also to •advise his friends to be on it without any disadvantage to himself, he said. :In New Zealand an owner lowered the dividend when lje imparted information Ito his friends.

-■ While in Sydney Mr. Aitken and Mr. Wood attended the Randwick sales anj purchased a. bay, mare named.Solitaire. Solitaire was foaled in 1927, and is a 'sister to : Bay Queen and.a half-sister to F.A.Dj,- a well-known, English winner.