OHOKA AND EYRETON RACES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3654, 27 December 1879, Page 3

OHOKA AND EYRETON RACES.

These races were held yesterday, at the racecourse, Mandeville Plains, and attracted a largo concourse of people, who were in every way satisfied with their day's outing. Tho weather, which did not proiniso well in tho morning, turned out fine, and gave them an afternoon's amusement without any attondant unpleasantness. There wore about 800 people present, who principally arrived in vehicloa of all descriptions, while the town contingent arrived by the special train, which was well patronised. The course was in excellent order; and tho Conimitee, who have taken great pains to make the meeting a success, are to be complimented upon the result ot their efforts. The saddling paddock, which has been made a permanent structure, is one of t v se best at any country racecourso in the Northern District. Of the racing, thero word plenty of horsc3 in each event, except in the Cup, which only brought forth three acceptors. The Hurdle Race was looked forward to as a certainty for Mireillo, ns Kobin Hood was scratched early /in the morning, but Jack 2'roved tLo fleetest of foot in the run, and won it, taking his hurdles in superior style. Tho Committee and officers were very assiduous in their efforts to have the events run off to time, but it was late in tho evening before the Consolation Stakes were run, and this was in a heavy shower of rain. Handicap Hurdle Raob, 20 soys ; 2 mile 3 j over oight flights of hurdles. Mr B. J. Hawkins 1 b % Jack, lOat 101 b (Hankin) 1 Mr C. Marker's bin Mir.-ille, 9at 101 b (Sheeuau) Z Mr A. Larkina' eh g The Uitleumn, 0.-tb 41b tH. MnrQtt) 3 Mr Q. S. Palmer's b o Norman and Mr H. Scott's b g The Cid also ran. This race resulted in a closo contest between Jack and Mireille, tho latter of whom, with Tommy Sheenan up, was the favourite. At tho start, however, she made a fault and lost her position for tho first time round, but on the third hurdle she was abreast of Jack and running very game. At tho fourth hurdle all tho horses wero well together, Jack and Mireille still leading, the others well up. Past the posb tho first time tho order was— Jack, Bifloman and Mireille, who had taken the last turn into tho straight too wide, and had thus let Rifleman in. This order was soon altered, as Sheenan picked up hi* position by clearing the fifth hurdle well, but never collared Jack, who took his jumps in fine style, and on clearing the last hurdle well maintained tho lead, winning a close race by a length and a-half, Sheenan exhibited his powers of horsemanship nt the first hurdle, where, but for his adroitness, tho mare must have grounded. Robin Hood and Nimrod wero ontered, but scratched, the latter having been ridden from Oxford in the morning. Disthict Race, 15 bovb. For horses which have been tho property of residents within tho district, between the Wuimakariri and Ashley, lj miles. Mr T. M'Naugnt'B b o A Bob in, 3yrs, 7«t 01b (Wade) 1 Mr P. Boker'a b & Moilk, 3yrs, 7st Oil) (Beker) ... 2 Mr G. Cone's b g Young Jim, •lyrs, Bst Mb (P. Cone) 3 Mr Parnham'a Nina, Mr Rcott's Rocket, Mr Ellis' Ladybird, Mr McQuillan's Eaho, and Mr Rollinson'a Merrie also ran. A Bab In proved too good for his company in this race, as having tho inside running from tho start ho kept it and tho lead, Nina running liim close for second placo. Thoy pasEed tho poßt in this order tho first round, and but for a very plucky spurt put on at the mile-post by the rider of Young Jim, tho rare would have been a hollow affair. Moilk's rider, however, cut out tho running for second place, and with Young Jim coming well up they arrived in the straight just as a horseman was crossing it, which somewhat baulked the horaes leading and brought them closer together, winning in tho above order. Rocket's rider was thrown at tho three-quarter mile-post, and ruther obstructed some of the others, who had to deviate to avoid an accident. Publicans' Pubse; 15 sov3; weight for age ; H miles. Mr 11. Vallanco'a b g Huntingdon, 83t 111 b, 4yr* (Wad;) 1 Mr J. H. Lunn's b g Robin Hood, aged, Oat 81b (Holland) 2 Mr Q. Cono's b m Litt'o Lady, syrs, o*t 51b (P. Ooro) 3 Mr J. Mitchell's Unknown and Mr H. Scott's Tho Cid aUo ran. Little Lady cut out the paco, and blio maintained the lead till half-round the first time, whon Robin Hjod challenged her, with Huntingdon closo in. Huntingdon and Ribin Hood then made a ; good race of it home, but at tho last turn Huntingdon secured a slight advantage and kept the lead to the finish, winning by a length and a half, Littlo Maid a fair third, The Cid distanced, while Unknown pulled up. OnoKA and Etketon Cup Handicap, 40 soys 5 two miles. Sir 11. P. Lanco's b I Mario Antoinette, Syrs, 8?t (M'Conkoj) 1 Mr H. Vallance's b gj Huntingdon 2 All tho others were scratched except Supplejack. At tho start, Supplejack got away badly, but recovered his position and led round tho first time, but it was evident from the first mile that he had raced himself out. Huntirgdon and Antoinette raced up the straight, tho filly leading by a length. Pont Race— First prize Q4, second £2; third horso to save hia ttake. One mile. Mr J. H. Lunn'a oh g Foretop, Bst 101 b 1 Mr T. M'Nanght's br g Jacob, 7st 71b ... ... 2 Mr M. Ljnskey'e oh in Polly, Bat , „, 3 Mr P. M'Grath'a eh m Biddy, 7et 41b 0 Mr Parsons' two ponies also ontered and ran. This was looked forward to as the principal local event of the day, and attracted

a good deal of interest, and the handicappers ,had their work cut out to dispense justice to satisfy every one. The favourites were Foretop imd Polly, the latter of which from her style in the preliminary canter created a fancy for her. The race, however, lay between the two first, ond Jacob deceived the backers of Polly by making the pace from the first. Foretop led the whole way round , and the other four came in at a respectable distance. Fa hrn Ens' Plate of losovs; weight for age. 1-J- miles. Mr C. Barker's b m Mireillp, oyrs, 9st 51b (Sbeonnn) 1 Mr H. Scott 8 eh g Supplejack, aged. 9st 91b (Parsoiiß) 2 Mr E. Collins Prince, and Mr G S. Palmer's Norman, also ran. Tho latter started, but bolted off tho course, and Mircille, who took tho lead at first, held it well throughout, winning easily, the remaining two not being in the race at all. Tho Consolation Slakes produced four entries, and was won by Eobin Hood, Mr Cone's Little Lady running him shurp for second place. The interest in this race was cooled by the fact that it was raining very hard at the time it was carried out. The two had it to themselves.