ATHLETIC BOOM IN AUCKLAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 311, 23 March 1928, Page 10

ATHLETIC BOOM IN AUCKLAND

BIG CASH MEETING TO BE STAGED HERE AT END OF MONTH The number of runners in Auckland who run for cash (when they get the chance) is surprising. Nearly every picnic held on the Waitemata holds an open race, and on many occasions more than 40 competitors face the starter. The forthcoming meeting of the Auckland Athletic and Cycling Club will give promoters some idea of the number of “Knights of the spiked shoe” who believe in the cash system. The Bombay Anniversary Sports held last Saturday was responsible for some fine performances. Several Auckland runners made the journey and competed with a fair amount of success. The attendance was good, and all the events were got off well up to time. The final of the 120yds. Bombay Handicap was a great finish between the placed men, H. Carran (14yds), gaining the verdict by inches from G. Maxwell (13yds), with J. Maloney (12yds), who was badly left, a close third. HUDSON AS QUARTER-MILER The 440yds. event attracted an entry of 21. The limit, 55yds, proved too severe a handicap, as H. Best, on that mark, streaked away and was never headed. A great run was put up by Harry Hudson, the actual scratch mar who got second. He had a big field to get through, and with a little more luck would have been the winner. P. Clark was a good third. The 220yds. was another good thing for A. Best (30yds), who beat J. Maloney (21yds), in a close finish. J. Maloney, who finished third, was unlucky in getting badly spiked, as he was getting through the field, but he finished gamely into second place. F. Kellett ran with poor judgment in this event, leaving his run too late. THE HALF-MILERS The 880yds. handicap looked a sure win for Jim McKean, the veteran runner, 100 yards from the finish, but he tired badly and the three placdft men, P. Clark (75yds), A. C. Peterson (70yds) and H. R. King (70yds) just got up in time to head him off. The winner, Clarke, went a great race and won well. King was some yards back third. A wonderful old runner is Jim McKean. He won the “double” at the New Zealand amateur championships away back in 1t96, half and mile, and now at the age of 60 still runs a good race. The one-mile event was responsible for a fine effort by the winner, K. Wilson, off 145yds. From the crack of the gun he never left the issue in doubt. Soon overhauling the limit man. he bowled along in his easy style and never looked like being beaten. His finishing sprint was also a good one. A great effort by A. G. Peterson (120yds), saw him just beat K. R. King (95yds) on the line, for second place.

The Forced Handicap was won by J. Maloney by a short margin from H. Hudson, with F. Kellett third. The start saw Hudson badly left, and though he finished gamely, gaining considerably on the winner, he had to be content with second place. On his running in this event Hudson must be given a chance in any distance up to 440yds. Cash runners are well catered for by the Auckland Athletic and Cycling Club on Saturday, March 31. The big c\ ent, the Auckland Clift Handicap, 120yds, carries with it £ls; the 220yds! £5, and the 440yds £5. All entries must be in the hands of the secretary by Saturday next, March 24 All handicaps will appear in The Sun on Wednesday, the 28tli. Besides Jones, the winner of the Taihape Sheffield, other runners who are certain to be seem in action at the Auckland Club's meeting are J. E. Shaw, one of the speediest sprinters in New Zealand; D. Moleswortli an exceptionally good one who won the 75yds, and the Forced Handicap, besides running second in the 220yds and third in the 100yds. at Taihape on Monday; C. H. Del-bridge, the Taihape crack who was second in the 75yds and 100yds events at the same meeting; A. Watson, winner of the 100yds second in the Forced Handicap, and third in the 220yds on Monday, and one of the fastest 440yds runners in the Dominion, and Sid Bell, J. Batty, C. Kellett, Jerry Mathieson, Harry Car J°?-., are all nlen who have a chance '' hue such good ones on a medium mark as Little, Knott, Littlewood, Gardiner, Cleaver, Scott and Perrv the last-named three being the Rugby League’s fast threequartors, thev are sure - to keep the I-• - -> There are many other rmr ’-3 i week lan<3 citv vvho will be’ seen" in