First bet a winner for PNG visitor

Terf Aisi and his uncle, former Otago rugby league player Basi Aisi, celebrate after winning $13...
Terf Aisi and his uncle, former Otago rugby league player Basi Aisi, celebrate after winning $13 at the Otago Anniversary Day races at Wingatui yesterday. Photos by Christine O'Connor.
Celebrating as their horse crosses the line are (from left) Janelle Wilton, of Mosgiel, Jan...
Celebrating as their horse crosses the line are (from left) Janelle Wilton, of Mosgiel, Jan Symons, and Zara and Ann Rathmathas, all of Dunedin.

Terf Aisi appeared to be the odd one out at the Otago Anniversary Day races at Wingatui yesterday.

While most were in shorts and T-shirts, the 20-year-old printer from Papua New Guinea shivered in longs and woollen clothing.

''I'm feeling the cold here,'' he said.

''It's usually about 30degC back home. I've got lots of woollen clothes on today.''

Mr Aisi said he was visiting family in Dunedin, and was at Wingatui yesterday to get his first taste of horse racing.

''It's hard to know what to make of it. I'm just taking it all in.''

Despite not having the first idea about how to bet on a horse, he managed to win $13 on the first race - with a little help from his uncle.

From there, he was hooked, and the jumping around with excitement helped to warm him up, he said.

''It would be good to win a million dollars ... I think it is going to take a while though,'' he said.

Mr Aisi and his extended family were among more than 600 people at the dual-code race day, which featured thoroughbred and harness racing from the Beaumont Racing Club and the Forbury Park Trotting Club.

The event also celebrated the 125th anniversary of the Beaumont Racing Club.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz

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