Valley Of Fire was the horse which "jumped out" at fire chief David Rooney in race 3 at the Roxburgh trots yesterday.
There were a few wry smiles as punters read through the race book.
Many locals commented that Valley Of Fire was an apt choice, given the blaze which swept through the outskirts of the Teviot Valley town on Friday, razing one home, threatening others and burning 40ha of land.
"I can't really go past that one, not with what's happened lately," Margaret Deans, of Ettrick, said.
Fire chief David Rooney agreed: "That was the obvious one that jumped out at me."
And fortune was smiling on the residents, as Valley Of Fire won the race, netting its backers a dividend of $6.80 for the win and $2.70 for the place.
Mr Rooney was reluctant to reveal how much he put on the horse, but said he backed it for a place and assured the Otago Daily Times he "won't be retiring on the winnings".
