ENGLISH PARK.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18895, 10 January 1927, Page 10

ENGLISH PARK.

SPORTS MEETING STARTED. A disappointment was in store for the big crowd that visited the English Park Stadium on Saturday-night, rain Betting in and causing a postponement until to-uight of most of the events. The sports meeting was held under the auspices of the Mairehau Sports Club, but after the four heats in the One Mile Members' Handicap had been run off a postponement was made. ONE MILE MEMBERS' HANDICAP. Following are the results o£ the heats:— First heat: C. S. Parker (50yds) 1, F. Flanagan (50yds) 2. Time, 2niin 7 4-ssec. Second heat: H. Burnside (85yds) 1, J. H. Silvester (75yds) 2. Time, 2min 2 3-ssec. Third heat: C. Bright (10yds) 1, F. Wilmott (90yds) 2. Time, 2min 6 l-ssec. Fourth heat: L. J. Scuffell (140 yds) 1, D. E. Le Fevre (75yds) 2. Time, 2min 12 .HALF-MILE AMATEUR RACE. Pi. Jamieson (scr) 1, H. Roberts (65yds) 2. Time, lmin 6 l-ssec. - TO-NIGHT'S PROGRAMME. The large crowd of disappointed patrons at English Park Stadium on Saturday night will have an opportunity of. seeing the champions at their best to-night. A full programme of - thirty-five events will be decided, including the scratch race of the year, the quarter-mile New Zealand track championship. Track tactics as well as speed will play an important part in this important event. Competing in the four heats are proved champions, amongst them being the redoubtable Kkil O'Shea. O'Shea will make his aecond appearance in Christchurch this season. Others who are anxiou3 to secure championship honours are Frank Carey, the present holder of the quarter-mile championship; J. Bearnian, a strong favourite mid the South Island track champion; C. J. Sowden, the brilliant Australian sprinter; Clarrie Bright, the all-round sprinter and winner o( the eight hours race; ' and C. Austin,. Canterbury, track champion, and the majority of the prominent riders in the Dominion.

The motor-paced match race between A. C. Ritchie and H. Burnand was a muchdiscussed topic amongst the spectators on Saturday night, and it-was evident that both riders had a large . following, tho opinion being freely expressed that the three distances of two miles each would have to be covered before a decision would be arrived at. A -tryout by Ritchio and Burnand on Saturday night showed that both riders had mastered the art of following the rollers. Len Scuff ell and Holland will -act- as pacemakers.' Passes issued on Saturday night will be available to-night. The 'first event will -start at eight o'clock.