AUCKLAND CUP DAY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19519, 29 December 1937, Page 4

AUCKLAND CUP DAY

SCENES AT ELLERSLIE LARGEST CROWD FOR YEARS There was a typical holiday carnival atmosphere at Ellerslie on Monday, when the Christmas race week opened with the first day of the Auckland Racing Club's summer meeting. Ideal weather favoured the occasion and tire 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.

Tiro hill and stands presented a memorable scene. Almost every foot of space was occupied during the running of the various events, while tire activities of the crowd around the totalisators before and after each race were a source of never-ending interest to mere spectators and holi-day-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 (lower beds and shrubberies.

For the 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 there 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 £114,541 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 lOtli favourite.