WESTPORT ANNUAL RACES.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 909, 4 January 1872, Page 2

WESTPORT ANNUAL RACES.

SECOND DAY. Tuesday opened with very gloomy weather, aud during the morning two light Bhowers foreboded ill for the day's sport. Towards noon, however, it cleared, and any apprehension as to the enjoyment being marred by a repetition of Monday's rain passed away. Previous to leaving for the course the weights had to be declared for the Westport Handicap, the stewards having failed to arrange on the previous evening the terms upon which Why Not, XXX, Task, and Tommy were to meet each other for the two miles. The result of the handicapping was Why Not, lOst 101b ; XXX, lOst 41b; Task, 9st 41b ; and Tommy, 9st. The handicapping did not give the general satisfaction of the previous day. Why Not was considered to have no chance at all, and according to the running it was thought that the gelding should have met XXX at even weights. Later in the day Why Not was scratched, although competent judges, considered his chance a good one, notwithstanding the weight, and as the result of the running proved, had Mr Maloney started him, he would have probably taken first place. The races' on the second day were not so well contested as on the first day; the course was in bad condition owing to the heavy rainfall, and it became a question of luck and endurance rather than the form aud speed of the horses engaged. The first event came off" about two o'clock. The attendance was quite equal to that of the previous day, but the company owing to the fine sunny weather were more scattered. The number of persons on the grand staud was less, and the vendors of refreshments in the various booths appeared to be doing a less satisfactory business than that of the previous day. Appended is the result of the various events: — Butchers' Purse Handicap, of 10 sovs. Entry 1 sov: Heats about a mile. Open to Butchers' horses only. FIRST HEAT. Mr M'Giuley's b m Kate, Bat (Dougherty) 1 Mr M'Farlane's Dewdrop, Bst 61b (Butler) 2 SECOND HEAT. Mr M'G-inley's b m Kate, Bst (Dougherty) ... ... ... 1 Mr M'Farlane's Dewdrop, Bst Gib (Butler) 2 Mr M'Kenna's Spuds and Mr Wardrop's Beauty also started. Spuds was ridden by Simpson, but came to grief before reaching the distance post. The horse was caught, and Simpson re-mounted, but did not succeed in saving his distance. Beauty was ridden by his owner, and man and horse rolled over opposite to the stand in the first round, and pulled up. Kate won both heats easily by three lengths. - After passing the judge's chair in the second heat, Dougherty looked behind, and at the same moment the mare stumbled, and he was thrown, but received no injury.

Westpobt Handicap of 40 sovs. Two miles. Entry 4 sovs. Mr T. M'Kee's Task, 5 years, 9st 4'lba (Hyder) I Mr M'Ginley's Tommy, 5 yoars, 9st (Paton) ' ... ... 2 Mr Hughes's XXX, aged, lOst 41b (Stevenson) ... ... ... 0 Why Not was scratched on the course. Earlier in the day there was an inclination to lay money upon Task, but on the' course XXX was freely backed against the field. According to the running the favourite would have won easily, but in the third round when running easily, and with a lead of seven or eight lengths, she stumbled and fell. The race then lay between Task and Tommy, the former winning with ease. The rider of Tommy did not push him, being under the impression that they had to run once more round the course.

The Ladies' Pubse of 15 sovs. Entry £l. One and a half miles. Weight for age. Qualification to jump a hurdle opposite to the Grand Stand. Mr M'Kee's Sailor (Simpson) ... 1 Mr Moloney's Why Not [(Hyder) 2 Mr Stitt's Polly (Paton) 3 XXX, Task, and Ivo were scratched, Polly was pulled up after running once round the course; and Sailor won as he pleased. Why Not's jockey rode very wide. Sailor was backed by the initiated at two to one against the field, and the race appeared to be a foregone certainty. Buller Hurdle Handicap of 20 sovs. Two miles. Entry 2 sovs. Mr M'Kee's Sailor, list (Simpson) 1 Mr Stitt's Polly, 9at 41b (Paton)... 2 Mr Dobson's Ivo, 9st 41b (Hyder) 0 This was also a perfect" gift for Sailor. Ivo pulled up without taking a hurdle. Polly took the hurdles well, but was pulled up after going twice round the course.