St. Patrick's Day.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3503, 17 March 1880, Page 2

St. Patrick's Day.

Fortunately our weather prognostication have proved correct, and St. Patrick's Day, 1880 has been beautifully fine. In the morning service was held at the Catholic Chapel, and there was a large attendance. The Hibernian Society inarched to church in procession, where an eloquent sermon, befitting the occasion was preached by the Bey. Father O'TJeilly. After service the procession was again formed, and marched to Parawai to attend the races. The steamers Te Aroha and Blanche left at an early hour for excursions to Ohinemuri, both vessels being well patronised, and the excursionists will doubtless enjoy themselves heartily.

The Races

at Parawai were the main attraction, however. The stewards had prepared an excellent programme, and a really excellent day's sport was provided.

(Per Pigeon Expbess.)

Pabawai, 1.20 p.m.

There was a very good attendance on the course, and before the starting of the first race the crowd amused themselves discussing the* points of the houses in the saddling'paddock, and trying their luck at the totalisator, and wheels of fortune, of which there were four or five on the ground. His Worship the Mayor oftV ciated as judge, Mr Casey as starter, and! Mr Wells efficiently performed the functions of clerk of the course. The grand stand was but poorly patronised. At 12.30 the bell rang for the first race, which was the RAILWAY STAKES (Weisht for age), 10 bovb. Distance, li miles j entrance, 30e, Mr Byers' Golden Crown, aged, 9st 41b» 1 Mr Taylor's Eclipse, aged, 9»l 4lbs , ... 2 Only two ran. The race was in Eclipse's hands, who was eleven lengths ahead, when the jockey unfortunately ran inside a post near Bridge Hotel, and Golden brown landed a 'winner hands down. This caused great excitement, and the popular owner of Golden Crown was loudly cheered.

HURDLE RACE HANDICAP, 20 soys. Distance, 2 miles ; entrance, 2 bots.—l boy. on nomination, 3rd March, 8 p.m. ; 1 sovt on acceplonce on the night of general entry, 13th March. Mr Leonard's Tenus, aged, list ... „, 1 Mr Harcourt's Sir George Grey, aged, lOst 2 Mr Casey's Park«y, aged, lOst ... ... 8

•Mr Casey effected a good start, Venus getting away last. All the horses got safely over the first hurdle, Darkey leading at the second hurdle; however, Darkey baulked twice, the others clearing it in grand style. Venus and.Sir George Grey kept well together till the second round, when the gray ran on, and Venus got a good start before he was got over. Darkey was by this time out of the race. At the last round Sir George Grey came up with a lush, and Venus only won by a couple of lenths. Grey was splendidly ridd n. :

HIBKKNI4N CUP (Handicap), 40 eov». Distance, 2 miles ; entrance, 4 boys so vs. on nomination, 3rd March, at 8 p.id. ; Z sots on acceptance on the night of general entry, 13th March. Mr Byera' Golden Crown, aged, 7st ... 1 Mr Mculee'a Buncaiya, aged, 78fc... ... 2* Mr Taylor's Vengeance,.aged, Bst 3ib» ... 3

Matloek did not turn up. Mr Casey got the horses away together, Golden Crown leading, and the lauranga horse last, as Tanner was evidently holding him in. The Crown kept the lead all the time and won by several lengths. Vengeance never showing up at all after the first round. The winner ran so strong that the boy was unable to haul him up, and he did an additional round before being pulled up. Betting was 2 to 1 on Buudarra; Vengeance was hardly mentioned in the betting.