Trophy Race First Guide To Titles

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31107, 9 July 1966, Page 17

Trophy Race First Guide To Titles

The senior division of the Jane Patterson trophy races at Ashley Forest today will give the first reliable guide to prospects for the Canterbury harrier championships three weeks later.

Today nearly all the leading runners will be matched for the first time this season, over the standard championship distance of 7J miles. Although having virtually his first race of the season, last year’s winner and Canterbury champion, B. R. E. Jones, has strong prospects of repeating his success. After running a leg in the opening event of the season, the Hagley steeplechase memorial relay, Jones foresook racing in favour of concentrating on a mileage programme as a buildup for the track season. Runner-up to Jones in both the Patterson race and the Canterbury championship last year, E. Gray (Greymouth) also will be having his first outing in major inter-club events. A strong challenge is certain to come from J. D. Macdonald, who has shown possibly his best form in harrier events in the last two interclub events. Among others vying for top honours will be R. J. Stevens, W. K. Kennedy and J. T. Power. Outside Support In addition to the Christchurch and Greymouth entries, the events have attracted support from Ashburton, Timaru, Waimate and Nelson. Olympic is favoured to retain the teams’ trophy, with the strongest challenge likely to come from Christchurch. The junior event over 3} miles is expected to provide a fine tussle among four promising young runners—J. Tom-

linson, D. Armishaw, B. A. Bruce and B. Sheddan. The combined race for senior and junior women may well be monopolised by representatives of Ladies’ Pioneer. Leading contestants should be Misses A. Kennedy, M. Dixey, D. Dixey, C. Russell (all seniors), and Misses J. and C. Horton, and L. Prebble. Last year Miss J. Horton headed the seniors home.