AT THE RACES.

Dozerdust, Volume 1, Issue 8, 31 July 1943, Page 2

AT THE RACES.

(_BY

Last Saturday a party of fortunates, or perhaps they would prefer to style themselves " unfortunates " set out in the early hours of the morning to attend their first race meeting in New Caledonia* A great deal of"scone" was " done " by Tony and others at the gate .when the hold up of the truck took place before the party got going. Tho journey was unovont ful, except for the orange incident when a native was unwittingly done for half a dollar. Dust from the proceeding trucks in the convoy was but alos the reason why tho party looked more like a lorry load of negroes by tho time they reached their destination, However, a wash in the stro am under tho curious oyos of tho 11 Wog " beauties restored our Romeos to thoir natural, virile manhood, and a cup of toe at tho Road House raised their cinfidenoo in backing winners.

Tho racecourse was a surprise to all. in that it was far bettor than anyone expect ed. Even though Naiouli played a prominent part in.its Construction the .facilities wore as good as found on tho smaller racecourses in N.Z. Old Sol shono on tho large attendance comprised mostly of En Zodors who wero well aware of tho French Girla present—they wero very nico too ! Tho Div Banli rendered items between races whild an amphlifying system kept everyone well posted which gave a finish to tho organisation and which went to making the day most enjoyable.

All the horses were in good form, making the races a punter's nightmare; the comparatively low dividends ( six dollars beings tho highest ) did not doter the enthusiasts from putting their"hard"earned on -would-be winners. There was a suror method of losing on the field and a good ■ many found it more popular than the horses.

Although some races had bad starts, all were very oxciting. Assertions that such and such a horse should have won wore rife , while others were quite certain that

their nag should have i paid more than two dollars. Of those from Works Service Engineers, Captain Boyd* appeared to be the only one who made the races wotth while the losers wore in the majority and averas ged a deficit of three dollars. Despite this " she was a good shqw " and everyone hoped that their next moving would be when there is a ton bob toto and a two way betting system.