CHAMPIONS IN ACTION

Evening Star, Issue 19798, 23 February 1928, Page 4

CHAMPIONS IN ACTION

&USTRALIAH CYCLISTS’ SUCCESS OTAGO CENTRE’S EVENING MEETING Displaying riding ability equal to anything that has been seen in Dunedin for years, J. Stamlen and D. Gray, the Australian champion cyclists, made their first appearance locally last night at a meet staged under the auspices of the Otago Centre of the Now Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, both men meeting with a considerable amount of success.

The cycling track was in fair order, and the two mile A grade handicap was productive of last time, D. Gray (15yds) boating hi.s fellow-Australian by half a length. Gray and Standon look half-laps in turn regularly, and while both rode well the former was iu a better position entering tho final straight, and won in sniin 3 3-sscc. Tim tables were turned iu the mile invitation scratch race, in which tltc services of a pacemaker wore provided. Tho pace set was not as fast as _it might have been, and at the finish Stamlen unloosed an electrifying sprint which gave him the verdict by two lengths in 2min 3Usec, which was but ordinary time. D. Gray was second, but he had to move up tho straight to beat the ox-01 ago champion C. M. [Nicholson, who finished third in this event as well as m the two mile A grade cycle handicap. The B grade two mile cycle handicap was won by A. L. Rosenbroek (10yds) by a wide margin in smin 34sec. As in the cycling events, large fields were also the order iu tho running events, in which the long-handicap men proved successful, A. W. Duff winning the furlong oil: 16yds and W. Murphy the 880yds in 2min ?scc from the 35yds mark after running a welljudged race. The mile relay handicap went to Civil Service from scratch, being responsible for a great quarter by the Otago champion C. M. Olsen.

The conditions were favorable for the meeting, which was witnessed by about I, spectators. A breeze blew across the ground from tho Bay,- and this made things rather unpleasant for spectators and competitors alike. The programme was got through with despatch, thanks to the efforts of tho president (Mr E. L. Macassey), the superintendent (Mr P. W. Breen), and the sports secretary (Mr 11. L. Emmerson). Mr 0. Iv. Heaton was tho Press steward. The Australians will appear again at an evening meet on Saturday night. Results:— A GRADE TWO-MI LE CYCLE HANDICAP. First Heat.—D. Gray (15yds) 1, J. Standen (scr) 2, E. Palmer (110yds) 0. Also started: P. Traill (130vds), H. A. Ockwcll (146yds), I. H. M'Millan (200yds), and H. Cooper (200,yds). The Australians were taking the half-Japs in turn, and moved fast from the start. Ockwcll led with nearly half tho distance covered, and with three laps to go was still in front, Gray and Standen being almost together three length;-, back. Ockwell, Gray, Standen, and Palmer were in a bunch with half a mile to go; but in tho last Jap both Australians shot to tho front, moving along tho back straight neck and neck. Gray was the first to spurt, and he maintained a slight advantage rounding tho turn to win in good time by half a length from Standen, with Palmer third a length back. Cooper finished fourth, and qualified for tho final. Time, smin 3 S-ssec. Second Heat.—C. M. Nicholson (110yds) 1, J. 0. Fogarty (ISOyds) 2, W. Hodgo (110yds) 3. Also started: W. J. Templeton (140yds) and R. G. Ravenwood (200yds). Fogarty and Ravenwood led over the first half of the distance, but Nicholson had quickly reduced the gap, and with a mile to go was only 10yds back. Fogarty was a length ahead of Nicholson at the bell, but the latter drew away along tho hack, and went on to win by a length, Hodge being three lengths further back. Time, smin 5 3-sscc. —Final.— D. Gray (15yds) 1 J. Standen (scr) 2 C. M. Nicholson (110yds) 3 Another fast race. As in tho heat Gray and Standen set out to reduce the, gap quickly, and with good result. With two laps covered, Cooper and Fogarty were 100yds ahead of the Australians, who were pedalling strongly. By the time tho mile was reached Standen had taken Gray up, tho pair being only 60yds behind Nicholson, who was still in front with another lap to go. Standen took the lead in the second last lap, followed by Gray, Palmer, and Nicholson. Gray and Standen shot out in the last lap, but Nicholson hung to them grimly. Gray spurted 'ioOycls from home, and rounded the straight just ahead of his team male. In an exciting finish Gray won by half a length, Nicholson being three lengths back third. Time, omin 3 3-ssee. B GRADE TWO-MILE CYCLE HANDICAP.

First Heat.—J. Ewing (10yds) 1, W. Lucas (60yds) 2, F. A. Nelson (30yds) 3. Also started: A. Harris (50yds), W. Isaac (75yds), W. Fergus (90yds), V. Mussen (iOOyds). F. Palmer (120yds), and F. Deans (IGDyds). Lucas was in a handy position with half the distance covered, but Ewing was then lying second last. The latter gradually lessened the gap, and was up with the bunch when the last lap was entered upon. Along the far stretch Lucas and Ewing were out in front, and entering a strong challenge rounding the turn Ewing won by a length, Nelson a length and a-half back third. Time, omin 30 4-ssec. ' Second Heat.—A. L. Rosenbrock (10yds) 1, G. Smith (50yds) 2, J. Campbell (30yds) 3. Also started: JH. Simon (60yds), F. Dillon (60yds),

M. Grainger (SOyds), D. O’Brien (100yds). O’Brien set a fairly solid pace, and led over the first mile, but was then displaced by Dillon and Simon, Rosenbroek having got up with the bunch. Entering the last-lap Rosenbrock shot to the Iront, and stayed there to win by 40yds from Smith, Campbell being a length back third. Time, omin 30 l-sscc. —Final. — A. L. Rosenbroek (10yds) 1 J. Ewing (10yds) 2 F. A. Nelson (130yds) 3 Nelson ami Lucas led in tho early stages, and with five to go Lucsm held the - load, followed by Simon. Ewing shot out iu tho next lap, closely iollowed by Rosenbroek, Lucas, and Campbell in a bunch. Rosenbroek and Ewing wore well placed with half a mile to go, and both were riding well, Rosenbroek'moving to the front at the hell. Ewing challenged along the far stretch, but Rosenbroek sprinted strongly, and won by ten lengths, Nelson being five lengths back third as the result of a good finishing effort. Time, omin 34scc. ONE-MILE CYCLE INVITATION SCRATCH RACE. J. iStanden 1 D. Gray 2 C. M. Nicholson 3 Other starters: E. Palmer, P. Traill, W. J. Templeton, and J. C. Fogarty. W. Hodge acted as pacemaker, and pulled the field along at a good bat over the first lap, though the pace then eased off somewhat. Gray showed out from the start, and at the end of a lap was at tho head of the bunch, Standee, Nicholson, and Traill being together. Both Gray and Standee appeared to have plenty in reserve, the former being a length ahead at the bell. Standee, however, was riding easily, and along the back straight he shot up, Nicholson moving with him. Standee led round the turn into tho final straight, Nicholson being on terms with Gray. Standee sprinted np the straight and won nicely by two lengths. Gray beating Nicholson in tho final sprint by a similar distance. Time, 2min 30sec. ONE AND A-HALF MILE NOVICE CYCLE SCRATCH RACE. G. .Smith 1 J. Simon ... 2 D. O’Brien 3 Also started: G. Campbell, W. Fergus, V. Mussen, F. Palmer, F. Deans, W. Isaac, A. Harris, W. Lucas, and T. Dillon. O’Brien was in front at the end of tho first half-mile, but Simon then took a lap and made the pace more solid, the field being well bunched at the mile mark, with Simon, Smith, and O'Brien showing out prominently. Smith raced away in the last lap, but Simon sprinted along the back straight, and a good finish resulted, Smith winning by half a length, with O’Brien a couple of lengths hack third. Time, drain 3 3-sscc. 220 YARDS HANDICAP. First Heat.— B. G. AValler (20ydS) 1, A. AV. Duff (IGyds) 2, C. M. ’ Olsen (4yds behind scr) 3. Also started: E. H. Thompson (3'yds) and F, Mount * 18yds). Despite the tremendous handicap he had to overcome, Olsen ran a solendid race and finished strongly, though lie was unable to reach Waller, who won by 2yds from A. W. Duff, Olson being a yard back third. Time, 23 2-ssec.

Second Heat.—E. A. Bastings (3yds) I. L. C. M'Lacblan (2yds) 2, R. A. Malone (12yds) 3. Also started: M. G. Valk (6yds), W. Murphy (Ovds), F. G. MTherson (12yds), and B. R. MTveruau (20yds). Bastings won by 3yds, Malone being a yard back third. Time. 24sec. —Final.— 4. W. Duff (16yds) ... 1 B. G. Waller (2(Jyds) 2 E. A. Bastings (3yds) 3 Waller led rounding the turn, with Duff close uu and Bastings making up the leeway fast. Dull' put in a determined burst up the straight, and in an exciting finish won by inches, Bastings being 4ft back third. Olsen failed to get up, and did not secure a place. Time, 23 l-ssec. 880 YARDS HANDICAP. W. Murphy (25yds) ... 1 B. R. MTveruau (60yds) 2 A. Forbes (-10yds) 3 Also started; L. A. Wood (scr), J. J. Morris (12yds), F. J. D. Roll’e (25yds), F. Fish (25yds), J. B. Drumm (4.oyds), F. Mouafc (60yds), Kennedy (60\*ls), L. A. Magee (70yds), D. Rutherford (70yds), and G. Creighton (70yds). The limit men set a hot pace, but with a lap covered Murphy was with tho leaders and running strongly, MTveruau being a few yards ahead of him. Wood made up considerable leeway, but found tho handicaps a bit beyond him. Along the back straight Murphy commenced to move up, and timing’his final effort nicely tho powerful Cavorsham representative caught MTvernan up tho straight and went on. to finish well 3,vds ahead of M'Kernan, Forbes being 6yds back third. Wood finished out of a place. r ! ime, 2miu 2sec. HOP, STEP, AND JUMP HANDICAP. B. R. MTveruau (bit bin), 44ft lliu 1 F. G. MTherson (7ft 7in), 44ft 9in 2 E. H. Thompson (3tt lin), 44ft 4in 3 Also competed: R. O. Johnson (scr), H. Todd (Sft llin), H. J. Pollock (7ft Sin), J. W. Johnson (4ft llin), P. Y. Ward (Oft), C. S. Clark (Ift bin), B. Provo (sft), and V. Isbister (6ft Sin). Distances include handicaps. The standard was not a high one, with the exception of R. 0. Johnson’s jumping, the Otago champion’s best effort being 43ft 2in. ONE MILE RELAY HANDICAP. (Four 440’s.T Civil Service (C. M. Olsen, L. C. M’Lachlan, R. M. Stevens, and E. A. Bastings), scr 1 Anglican (F. J. D. Rolfc, A. Forbes, 11. A. Malone, and H. J. Pollock), 30yds 2

Cavcrsham (L. Wood, J. 3. Morris, W. Murphy, and A. Jngiis), 20yds 3 Only starters. Olsen put the issue almost beyond doubt by running a sterling quarter, overhauling the other pair with such rapidity that M'Lachlun took over with a 3yds lead, which ho gradually increased to 12yds. When Bastings took over Civil Service held a lead of 15yds, but though Pollock set out to reduce tho gap Bastings drew away at the furlong mark to give his team victory by 20yds from Anglican, Cavcrsham being 50yds back third. 'Time, Smiii 40soc.