CHAMPION CYCLISTS

Evening Star, Issue 19801, 27 February 1928, Page 4

CHAMPION CYCLISTS

AUSTRALIANS WIN AGAIN OTAGO CENTRE'S FIXTURE In their second appearance under the auspices of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association on Saturday night the Australian champion cyclists, J. Standen and D. Gray, repeated their success of the previous Wednesday, carrying all before them in the three events in which they took part, despite the fact that they, were conceding big starts to the local men. The weather was fine, and about 1,000 spectators were present at the meeting, which provided even better racing than the mid-week gathering, though there were one or two exceptions. Ihe cycling track was in fair order, and the running tracks were on the fast side, though a wind blowing from the bay reduced the times, in the sprint particularly.

The cycling events were the mam attraction of the meeting, and no doubts can remain regarding the wisdom of dividing the riders into two divisions for the shorter distances. Not only does it provide better finishes in both classes, but it has resulted _ in larger fields and keener competition. Since his bad fall in Christchurch Standen, who is recognised as being Australia’s best amateur track cyclist, lias not been at his best; and Gray, lesser affected by the Christchurch mishap, showed the better form of the pair on Saturday night, winning the mile and a-half handicap in 3min 3sec and the three-mile handicap in the good time of 7min 25 2-ssec. Gray rode with good judgment in both these races, and timed Ids'final sprint nicely. Standen failed to show his characteristic spurt at the finish, but gave a glimpse of his true form in the half-mile scratch race, which he won in the good time lor the track of OSscc. The visitors were in a class of their own. but of the others C. M. Nicholson. S. Bremford, and P. Traill showed to most advantage. Nicholson, in particular, rode well, being found wanting only in last stretch up the straight. F. A. Nelson (130yds) scored a good win in the B grade mile and a-half cycle handicap. There was no more popular win than that of the Civil Service veteran, H. J. C. MTCeuzic, in the 100yds handicap. M'Kcnzio, who was on Byds, has been a. consistent performer, and scored _his first win for nearly two years, the timo against the wind being 10 J-ssec, N. J. Suckling (70yds) ran wed to win tho mile handicap in 4miu 31 2-sscc, but the mile relay handicap was spoilt by the ridiculous start that the scratch team, Civil Service, was asked to concede to Anglican No. 2, who on 250yds simply cantered home. The handicapping in this race gave rise to a great deal of dissatisfaction. The hali-milo walk was won well by G. S. Cabot from scratch in 3min 14see. Tho starter was Mr A. Burk, who despatched his fields iu his usual capable manner. The meeting was conducted in a very satisfactory manner, the centre president (Mr E. L. Macassey), the superintendent (Mr P. W. Breen), and the sports secretary (Mild. T. Emmersoti) being responsible lor the general arrangements. As usual, Mr C. K. Heaton’ was an eminently satisfactory Press steward. Results A GRADE n MILE CYCLE HANDICAP. Hirst Heat. —S. Bremford (130yds) I, C. M. Nicholson (130yds) 2, E. Palmer (MOvds). 3. Also started: W. J. Templeton (170yds), R. G. llavcmvood (230yds), and A. L. Rosenbrock (230yds). Rosenbrock led in the early stages of the race, but Nicholson brought the back men up quickly, and with a mile covered Bremfonl, Nicholson and Palmer were together in a bunch 30yds behind Rosenbrock and Ilavcnwood. Nicholson shot out iu tho second last lap, and at the bell was only 10yds behind Rosenbrock, Brentford and Palmer being in close attendance. Nicholson spurted along the far si retell, but Biemford challenged at the bend, and finished strongly to win by three lengths, Palmer being a length back third. Time, Siiiin 33 4-ssec. Second Heat. — D. Gray (scr) 1, J. Standen (scr) 2, P. Traill (160yds) <>■ J, C. Fogarty (PJOyds), who finished fourth, also qualified for tho final, . Hodge (140yds) being the other starter. Fogarty Maintained his leading position for tho first half-mile, but I fie Australian cracks, as usual, made up the leeway fast, and were but lUlyas back at this stage. At the mile mark Standen had ridden into second place behind Fogarty, Gray and 'I rail! being a length back. Entering the last lap Traill was second, but a change came over tho situation along the back, Gray spurting in irresistible fashion. He‘maintained his speed up the straight, am! beat his team male by three lengths, Trail! being six lengths back third, time, 3min 38sec. —Final. —■ D. Gray, scr ••• 1 J. Standen, scr - P. Traill, 160yds ’ - A fast race, in which Palmer took the field round in the. early stages, Traill, Nicholsoi , and Bremford lying in a bunch, with _ the visiting champions wasting no time iu reducing tho gap. With half the distance covered Nicholson and Bremford were out in front, Palmer, Fogarty, and Trail! being several lengths back. Gray was taking more laps than Standee, being lOOyds back half a length ahead of Standen. With half a mile to gc Nicholson wa still carrying the field along, Standen being 60yds back just ahead of Giay. At the bell Traill was half a length behind Nicholson, hut the Australians were soou m trout, Gray pedalling strongly along the back, followed by Standen. Nichaisou challenged and passed Standen, hut entering 0 the straight tho Australians Had tho inside positions, and Gray sprinted spiritedly to beat Standen by two lengths. Coming last round the turn, Traill just managed to head Nicholson for third place, one and a-half lengths behind Standen. Time, 3min 31 sec. POLE VAULT HANDICAP. J. W. Johnson (2ft 1 in), R'lt Tin I L. Wright (7in), oft 7iu .. 2 R. 0. Johnson (scr), lift 6in •’ L. Edmond (3in) and. B. Provo (Jin) also competed. Heights include handicaps. Ihe bo»t effort was that of the Otago champion R. O. Johnson, who jumped well am cleared 9ft Gin. He attempted 10ft and had bad luck in not getting over, dealing the liar ami Knocking it off with his elbow as he came dc*n.

R GRADE U-MILE CYCLE HANDICAP. First Heat.—F. A, Wilson (13yds) L J. L. Ewing (scr) 2, W. Lucas (65yds) 3. Also competed: J. H. Simon (65yds), J. Campbell and F. Deans (165yds). Campbell was in front at the beginning of the last lap, followed by Ewing and Wilson. Rounding tho turn into the straight Wilson came up on the outside and finished fast to boat Ewing by IJ, lengths, Lucas being a length back, third. Time, dinin 3sec. Second Heat.—G. Smith (40yds) ], W. Scott (10yds) 2. W. Isaac (80yds) 3. Only starters. The limit man was in front for the greater part of tho journey, but Smith went up at the mile and opening up a big gap, won easily by several lengths, the third man being well back. Time, 4min 4sec. —Final. — F. A. Nelson, 130yds 1 G. Smith, 40yds 2 W. Lucas, 65yds 3 The field was up with the limit man by the time half the distance had been covered, and at the mile mark Smith was in front, Ewing and Wilson being well placed in the bunch. Smith led entering ihe last lap, Ewing, Nelson, and Lucas attending lijm closely. Along the back straight Ewing went into tho lead, but not for long. Smith and Nelson passing him at the bend. Smith, led up the straight, but Nelson’s determined sprint prevailed, a desperate finish giving him victory by half a wheel, Lucas being a length behind Smith. Time, 4min 3 2-ssec. 100 YARDS HANDICAP. First Heat—M. G. Valk (4yds) 1, G. M. Olsen (scr) 2, W. Murphy (5,.d5) 3. Also started; L. C. M‘Lachlan (2yds), A. W. Duff (6yds), W. J. Duff (7yds), J. Gilchrist (9yds), and P. Y. Ward (10yds). Tho starter -ecallod the field twice before it got away evenly eventually. Valk stayed on well, but Olson ran a splendid race to push him within inches. Murphy being half a yard hack, third. Time. 10 2-ssec. Second Heat.—R. A. Malono (7yds) I, H, J. C. MMyenzic (Byds) 2, N. 01liver (11yds) 3. Other starters: R. O. Johnson (4.lyds). Won by half a yard, a similar distance between second r.ucl third. Time, 10 4-s.soc. Third Heat—L. Edmond (lOyds) I. A. G. Holt (4Lyds) 2, F. G. MTherson (6yds) 3. Also started: J. Renton (10yds). Edmond led nil tho way and won in slow time by half a. yard, foalfoot between second and third. Final.— H. J. C. M'Konzie. Bvds 1 M. G. Valk, 4yds '. 2 R. A. Malone, 7yds 3 MJKcuzio got away well and was quickly into his stride, being iu the van at half way. Ho hung on long enough to win by inches in an exciting finish, Valk moving fast over the last 20yds to fill second place, Malono being a. font away, third, and just failed to get up, but was not finishing on. Time, 10 o-sscc. HALF-MILE CVCIjE INVITATION SCRATCH RACE. J. Standen 1 D. Gray 2 C. M. Nicholson 3 Also started: E. Palmer, W. Hodge, P. Traill, W. J. Templeton, and J. C. Fogarty. In this race the Australians’ trainer, F. W. Kaltenhach, paced the field for a lap, which was ridden at a good pace. Traill showed out along ihe back, Gray, Standen, Nicholson, and Palmer being together in a. bunch. The field was well bunched at the bell, and along tho far stretch Traill led Gray, Standen, and Nicholson. The Australians had plenty in reserve, however, and at tho bend Gray was in front, followed by Standen and Nicholson. Standen gave a taste of his worth entering the straight, putting in a brilliant sprint which enabled him to beat Gray by half a length. Nicholson finished on well, only two lengths hack third. Time, Imin Sscc. ONE-MILE HANDICAP. N. J. Suckling (70yds) 1 W. Murphy (65yds) 2 A. G. Holt (140yds) 3 Also started: L. A. Wood scr, C. W. Frye 55yds, W. Murphy.6syds, F. J. 1), Rolfe 70yds, R. M. Stevens 70yds, A. Forbes lOOyds, B. R. M'Kernan 120yds, L. A. Magee 140yds, O. Melville 140yds, A. G. Holt 140yds, G. Creighton IGOyds, and A. J. Frye 170yds. A fast race, in which, though the scratch raau ran well, he was unable to make up the leeway, and finished out of a place. Suckling ran a well-judged race, and set out to get up with the leaders early. Holt was iu front at halfway, and was still there at the end of the third lap, at the end of which Suckling was lying fourth, Murphy also being well placed. Suckling put in » well-timed run along the back straight, and went on to win by syds from Murphy, who came with a late mu to heat Holt for second place by a yard. Wood was fifth some yards back. Time. -Imin 31 3-sscc. HALF-MILE WALK HANDICAP. G. S. Cabot (scr) 1 R. H. Cabot (25yds) 2 J. A. Wilson (30yds) 3 Also started; C. J. Henry 50yds, P. S. Cabot 50yds, A. J. Frye lOOyds, and W. A. Williamson lOOyds. This was a last race, tho back markers making great pace for tho first lap. R. H. Cabot held tho load with 300yds gone, but. the cx-New Zealand champion, G. 8. Cabot, was moving like a, well-oiled machine, and was only 2yds back at tho end of a lap, Wilson being another syds behind. The Cabot lire--fliers went neck and ncek along tho back stretch until the scratch man gradually drew away and finished with a. spurt to win by 20yds in good lime. Wilson was another 30yds back third. Time, 3min Msec. ONE-MILE RELAY HANDICAP.

Anglican No. 2 (R. Provo, R. A. Malone, R. 0. Johnson, C. Matthews), SoOycls 1 Anglican No. 1 (K. J. Pollock, N. J. Suckling, F. J. D. Rolfe, A. Clark), Boyds 2 Cftversham (J i. Wood, C. Frye, Vf, Murphy, R. K. Duncan), 100yds 3 Also started: Civil Service scr and Taieri 110yds. This did not prove any race at all. the handicapping of Anglican No. 2 ruining what was expected to provide a keen struggle. The winners were never headed, and, running easily, the last man romped homo with 140yds to spare from Anglican No. 1. Cavcrsham being 30yds back third. No time was taken. THREE-MILE CYCLE HANDICAP. D. Gray (scr) 1

J. Standen (ser) 2 S. Bremford (200yds) 3 Also started: C. M. Nicholson 200yds, W. Hodge 220yds, E. Palmer 220yds, P. Traill 250yds, W. J. Traill 250yds, J. C. Fogarty 250yds. R. G. Ravenwood 'looyds, J. L. Ewing 400yds, J. H. Simon 440yds, G. Smith 440yds. With the limit men a lap ahead of the Australians at the start, the field was well strung out during the first few laps, but the champions rode strongly from the start, and with six laps to go were a furlong behind Ravenwood. who led from Ewing, Simon, Templeton,. Bremford, and Nicholson. The visitors did not slacken their pace, and with three laps to go were only 100yds to the rear of Smith, Ewing, Bremford, and Nicholson, who were in a bunch. Gray and Standen took the lead in the second last lap. followed by Nicholson and Bremford. Standen sprinted round the bend, but it was a bit too soon, and ho was unable to withstand Gray’s challenge entering the straight, the latter winning by three lengths. Nicholson was beaten out of third place by the fast-finishing Bremford, who was a length behind Standen Time, 7mm 25 l-ssec.