AUCKLAND CUP DAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22922, 28 December 1937, Page 8

AUCKLAND CUP DAY

SCENES AT ELLERSLIE LARGEST CROWD FOR YEARS TYPICAL HOLIDAY CARNIVAL There was a typical holiday carnival atmosphere at Ellerslie yesterday, when the Christmas race week opened with the first day of the Auckland Racing Club's Summer Meeting. Ideal weather favoured the occasion and the largest crowd for about 15 years was present, 41.500 persons passing through the turnstiles, compared with 38,000 on the corresponding day of last year. The hill and stands presented a memorable scene. Almost every foot of space was occupied during the running nf the various events, while the activities of the crowd around the totalisators before and after each race were a source of never-ending interest to mere spectators and holiday-makers from other centres, of whom there was an unusually large proportion. Much admiration was expressed on all sides regarding the attractive display of colour of the flower beds and shrubberies.

For tie most part, the racing provided keen excitement, some splendid finishes being witnessed. One incident caused much talk on the course —the over-prompt start of the first race. Something obviously went amiss. However, no official pronouncement was issued in this connection, and the incident was viewed good-naturedly. The favourite won, and thpre were thousands of tickets on it. With every race the totalisator investments showed a steady increase on the figures for Boxing Day last year, until at the close of the day there was an increase of £12,043 10s. The turnover totalled £114.841 10s,' against £102,798 last year. There were two double-figure dividends, one of which was returned by The Buzzer, winner of the Auckland Cup. He was 10th favourite.