Punters enjoy Melbourne Cup extravaganza November 03, 2009
The city of Suva came to a standstill as punters gathered in numbers around the betting centres, clubs, restaurants and hotels to watch the $5.5 million Melbourne Cup race for which they bet on their favorite horses.
The atmosphere at the Holiday Inn was electrifying as people started gathering just after lunch time although the race proper started just after 4pm (Fiji Time).
While the guys enjoyed a drink or two and chatted, it was time for the ladies to show off their fancy costumes and colorful decorated hats on which they had spent a lot of time and money.
Prior to the race, defending champion Viewed alongside Roman Emperor and Allez Wonder all horses that were trained by seasoned trainer Bart Cummings were favorites with some punters also putting their bet Alcopop.
But when the race finished, it was Shocking which was trained by Mark Kavanagh and ridden by Corey Brown that prevailed and “shocked” all those that did not place their bet on the horse.
Saeed Suroor’s Crime Scene which led the race into the last 200 metres of the final had to settle at second place after slowing down in the last 100m while Mourilyan finished off in second place.
Meanwhile, Delores Darcia who bet on “Shocking” is looking forward to a big celebration.
Darcia who arrived from Washington, USA three days ago was among the big crowd at Holiday Inn to witness the annual Australia horse race live on big screen.
Darcia said this was her first time to gamble and having a taste of win has inspired her to bet again next year.
“My husband Vince told me that Shocking was not a favourite to win but since I liked his name I betted on him,” Darcia said.
“The win is another reason to celebrate while holidaying here in Fiji and I hope to come back next year and bet.”
Delores and Vince are frequent visitors to Fiji as they own a villa in Pacific Habour and with Vince retiring next year; Delores says that they plan to settle in Fiji.
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