By SAMPSON BONAI
HUNDREDS of Lae punters at the three betting shops - Kina Betting Shop, Kange and Lae Bookmakers – walked away after 2pm disappointed after all the horses they had gambled on lost in the 3,200 metres annual Melbourne Cup race.
Many Lae punters placed their bets on the favourite overseas horse Purple Moon who came second, beaten to the finishing line by Efficient.
The National visited the three betting shops around Lae and found them jam-packed with people from all walks of life who pushed and shoved to buy a ticket.
Many more gathered around and in front of the betting shops beaming with excitement and eagerness and having high hopes that the horses they had put their money on would come home in the richest race in the Southern hemisphere.
“I bet for the favourite horse and it never made it home and I had to get back to work,” said one disappointed punter as he slowly made his way back to his office in town.
“We all knew that the favourite horse will come home and bet heavily on it, however, it lost and we all went away disappointed Ö hope to do better next year,” added another two disappointed punters.
The three betting shops in Lae as well as others nationwide are likely to be smiling at the loss sustained by the punters yesterday.