The 154th Otago Taieri A&P Show feature event was over in just four seconds, after a particularly enthusiastic field caught up with and swarmed all over the rabbit lure within a few metres of the start.
• Slideshow: Otago Taieri A&P Show
Pandemonium ensued for several minutes, while various attempts were made to retrieve the lure from the pack.
The race was restarted and was won by a 3-year-old Parson Russell terrier called Frank.
That would be the same Frank who caused the first race to be abandoned, when he caught the lure too quickly.
''I was pretty confident he was going to win,'' owner Regan Hall, of Dunedin, said.
''He loves rabbits. He chases them whenever he gets the chance and he can run really fast.''
Several thousand people enjoyed the broad range of demonstrations, installations and exhibitions in sweltering conditions at the Taieri Showgrounds.
Events included the Caledonian Society Highland Games, featuring caber tossing, tossing the gumboot, dancing and marching competitions, egg-and-spoon races and pipe bands.
There were also demonstrations by whip artists, horse riders, the Otago Axemen's Club and Taieri Canine Training Club.
Exhibitions of paintings, photography, embroidery and even Lego sculptures were also displayed for show.
