KEY POINTS:
The biggest bet of Jason Gray's life paid off at the races yesterday - the love of his life said "yes" to his very public marriage proposal.
The gutsy Mt Wellington resident dropped to one knee on Ellerslie Racecourse's Champagne lawn as the words "Will you marry me, Cherie?" flashed up on the big screen, just minutes before the day's big race.
Cherie Barton, the object of his affection, choked back tears as she flashed her diamond cluster engagement ring and told the Herald of her delight.
"I didn't actually think what was happening was real for a minute," said Cherie, who moved to New Zealand from Wales nine years ago. "I was really, really shocked with it all. Then he was down on his knee."
The elaborate act was the culmination of two months of planning by Mr Gray and Ms Barton's father, Steve, a chef at Ellerslie Racecourse.
Auckland Racing Club chief executive Chris Weaver said he believed it was the first time the big screen - which broadcasts live footage during races - had been used for the purpose.
The display would have been seen by many of the 10,000-plus people who went to the track for yesterday's New Year's Day event, the last day of the New Zealand Herald Christmas Carnival.
Moments after Mr Gray's proposal, the announcer told the crowd Ms Barton's response.
Mr Gray and Ms Barton met by chance during a night out watching league at the Kingslander bar about 18 months ago. They clicked instantly and are now proud parents to 6-month-old Dylan.
They have yet to set a wedding date with an excited Ms Barton saying: "I'm still trying to get my head around it."
