HOKITIKA RACES.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1099, 7 January 1878, Page 3

HOKITIKA RACES.

Second Day. The "Times" gives the following account of the second day's racing on the Hokitika course : The races were resumed on Saturday, the weather at last proving most favorable, but the two days' interval had a most prejudicial effect on the attendance, which could not havo been much mere than half that of Wednesday. The racing was good, though the fields were small, and passed off without accident.

The Hurdle race was the first event for decision, and, as usual in all jumping races, created a great deal of interest. A protest, was lodged against Kobin Hood on the ground that he had been exercised on the course on the previous day, contrary to the rules, but nothing came of it. This horse came in for a good deal of attention, being related to the veteran Dick Turpin, to whom he was to be this day opposed. Ho ran a good horse, though only securing second honors, and jumped splendidly. Young Barton rode him very pluckily, and we fancy that the "outlaw" will yet be heard of in a better position over tim jer. Eata astonished a good many by the way he shaped, his fencing being all there, but wanting condition. Old Dick's day is over we fear, for being totally blind of one eye, as well as suffering from other infirmities in the understandings, he could not compass the hurdles, and oven on the flat was outpaced completely in his subsequent race. Lunatic, though a little cob only, is one of the cleverest horse? over sticks that ever performed on this course, is also as game as a pebble, and wonderfully fast for an animal of his build. Ho was very well ridden, and the race was a gift to him from the start, though only a bare length landed him ahead. For the Westland Handicap, Kensington appeared in blinkers, and declared three pounds over. His stable companion, Elfin King, also carried five pounds over weight, and was merely started as a shepherd to Kensington, in order to keep him on the course. Lancaster, a two-year-old, also the property of the same firm, made his debvt, and shaped remarkably well for such a youngster. Mr Oassidy declared to win with Kensington, but Maritana and Native were too much for his horse, and the mare repeated her victory of Wednesday, winning with great ease. A protest was entered by Native's rider, on the ground of an alleged jostle on rounding the last turn in the straight run in. The stewards took evidence, and the result was not arrived at, but the further investigation was postponed. The Handicap Selling race brought out four, but the Bat, though parrying lOst. 61b., won with ease. He was sold according to the conditions of the race, and realised £25, and we understand he has again become the property of Mr Lunn. The Goldfields' Handicap broke the spell of bad luck that had followed Mr D. Cameron so far during the meeting. Native managed ' to land the money after a good race, Phantom getting second place. The Maori race afforded considerable amusement, and three horses started for it, a horso called Jack winning both heats easily. There were only two entries for the Consolation Stakes, and on this occasion Merry Monarch was successful in defeating Colleen, his only opponent.