RIVERHEAD RACES. Stewards-George Henderson, Esq., A. Bonar, C. Thacker. Judge—A. Dilworth, Esq.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXV, Issue 3650, 31 March 1869, Page 4

RIVERHEAD RACES. Stewards-George Henderson, Esq., A. Bonar, C. Thacker. Judge— A. Dilworth, Esq.

The above annual raoei come ;,£ on Easter Monday under very auspiciouß ciror, m stauoe». The day wai one of the Queen's, and/ ltt cousequenoft her Majesty's health wa« repeatedly an d enthusiastically drunk. | Captain Caiey v^ifch the 'Gemini' put in an early appearance. The Auckland horiei arrived on the day previously, and very good accommodation was afforde;j by Mr. T.. Deaoon, the enterprising host of the iUverhead Hotel. Before noon the Heleniville people came in in force. Mr. Giles with hit Brandy arrived about 10 a.m., and was ' followed by Mr. and Mm. McLennan, Mr. S. Hand, Mr. Matthews, and a number of the leading residents in the distriot. From Auckland we noticed, »mo D gst others, Mr. Rogers, Messrs, Griffiths, Owen, Mottee. A. W. Eaton, Mullally, Henderson, J. Sneehan, Graham, R. J. Feltos, Captain Kobmsoji, and a sprinkling of the fair sex from Auckland tod the surrounding country. The Maoris in strong force, amongst whom we bad Vac pleasure of seeing our old tried friend " Gentleman Paora," who with Mb New-Zealander *«nd Kakano, carried off two of the raw s, If we had » few more Kew-Zealanders like Paul, this unhappy country would be free from all its troubles. There were present also moat of the leading chief* of the Ksipara, and whoie spirited conduct lent an additional zest to the proceedings. We must not forget to mention the stewards and officers of the meeting, who most effioieatly and zealously carried j out She programme they had provided. Mr. Bonar was here, there, and everywhere, and courteous and obliging to all. Mr. Thaxter and Mr. Calvert, of the Waikomifcl Hotel (in the absence of George Hen- 1 derson, Esq.), rendered most valuable support. A. j Dilwovtb, Esq., of Waitakere, acted as judge, and was always at his post, and the thanks of the Kfcipara settlers are due and tendered to that gentleman for his zeal and attention to the interests of this much neglected Northern Division. Realty the enterprise of these few northern ■ettlers is remarkable. Amongst a handful of them they hare within the last few weeks raised a sum of neatly £200 for the race meeting at Helens ville, Wade, end Pitoitoi. At the conclusion of the raoes a great number adjourned from the course to Deacon's hotel, where a bumptuoua and substantial dinner was provided, and eveny attention paid both by host and hostess to the comfort of their guests. The raoes themselves were a great success. The principal event was carried off by u Kaipara horae, Mr. McLeods Echo, which we are inclined to think is destined to figure rather more prominently on the turf before lontj. Monitor, although declared by one of the stewards over height (Id bands 2 inches), was entered for tha pony race— Brandy, that wonderful j little pony, absolutely running a good second to tbat | noted horae. These meetings are much to be encouraged, inasmuch as tbey bring; European and native into contact, and the good feeling exhibited on both sides at these various meetings sets for ever at rest any doubt of the peace of this northern portion of the province being disturbed.

Fibst Race. For £3, -with half the entrance money added, for all horsei that have never run for any public money. Weight for age ; distance \\ miles. Entrance, £2. Three horses to start or no race. Mr. Heath's b m Mit, »ged, 10* 41b (Wilkinson) 1 Mr. J. Mullaliy's b q Whalebone, 3 years, 7st 61b (Coleman) 2 Mr. J. Mo Leod's b m Miss Herald, 3 years, 7st 51b (Dibble) 8 This race was won by Whalebone ; Mil; led half a natle, w«s then passed by Whalebone, who won easily. Miss Herald came to grief, having stumbled and thrown her jookey, whoesoapßrt unhurt.

Second Kace. Riverhead Handicap— For 15 Bova, open to all horses. To bo handicapped l>y the Stewards, or whom else they may appoint. Two miles ; top weight, list. Four horses to start, or no race. Entrance, £2. Mr. 0. McLeods q q Echo, l©3t 71b, 6 yrs (Griffiths) 1 Mr. Owea MoGee's c h Monitor, &it 51b, oged (Baron) 2 Mr. R'igers's b q Young Native, lOst, 5 yrg (Pollock) 3 Mr. Mullaley'a BlueakiD, 6st 7H> 0 Mr. Paora Tuhaera'a New-Zealander, lOst 71b (Wilkiuson) 0 Young Native took the lead for over a mile, aud Was theu parsed by Monitor. Echo then came with m rush, aud woa after a most exciting race by about half a length. This was undoubtedly one of the most interesting struggles we have erer witnessed.

Thibd Race. Maori Kaob — Open for all horse I',1 ', to be owned and ridden by Maoris. Distance, two miles. En« trance, 10a. Paora Tuhaera's Kakana 1 Five horses started, and Kakano won easily. The Maori jockey rode with good judgment.

Fourth Race. HURDLS RACK, for J5lO, open to nil horses. Weight for age ; top weight, list 71b. Distance, two miles. Entrance. £1 10a. Mr. Paora'sNoW'Zealander, lOst, aged'( Wilkinson) 1 Mr. MoGee's Charles the Tweiftb, 9dt 7lb (Baron) 2 Mr. McLeods Echo, lOat 71b (Griffith) 3 - Cburles the Twelfth led a quarter of a mile, when he was passed by New-Zealander, who kept the lead, hard -held, until coming up to the third hui die, which he knocked down. Continued the lead throughout, hard-pressed by Charle3 the Twelfth and Echo. At the second hurdle ha was passed by both Echo and Charles the Twelfth, tbe latter leading to the third hurdle, who then awerved and cannoned against Echo, knocking down the hurdle (which was pat up by Mr. MoGeo in opposition to the wish of Mr. Bonar, one of the stewards), allowiug New-Zealand er to niii as he pleased. Burring this untoward event there is little doubt but the race would have been won by Echo.

PjFrH Rack. Pony Race Handicap, for £8. Open to all ponies 14 hand* 2 inchei or under (7(1). allowed for inch under 14.2). Top weight, Kht; onoe rouud. Entrance, £1 Is. Mr. McGee'a Monitor, aged, 103t ... (Baron) 1 Mr, Giles's Brandy, 63t 71b... ... (Dribble) 2 Mr. Leonard's Winiata, 65b... (Gooseman) 3 Aa to Monibor'o rigut to tbis race we refer to our leading remarks.

Sixth Eaoe. Hack lUce for £2, vrith entrance money added. Twice round the course. Entrance, sa, Mr. Heath's Caractaoua (Coleman) 1 Mr, Austin's Mountain Maid (Dribble) '. 2 Mr. Mullally'a Blueakin (Gooieraan) 3 This r»ce, vrhiolx was keenly contested by Caractaom and Mountain Maid, concluded the events of the d»y,