CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 31, 7 February 1928, Page 15

CYCLING.

THE CASH RIDERS. SUCCESS OF PAEROA SPORTS. BANKED TRACK FOR HAMILTON. Not for years has such a representative Held started in cash races in the Auckland Province as that which faced the starter at Pacroa last Saturdav. The afternoon was perfect for racing, but the track was at its worst, notwithstanding the fact that the committee did their very best to have it in good shape. Owing to the long spell of dry weather the tilling failed to bind, consequently it was loose in places, which meant many pot holes. The times, considering the condition of the track, were wonderful, and were due absolutely to the unselfish way in which the back markers paced cach other. When the limit riders did work together Mr. C. Morrison's handicapping was seen to advantage. In the one and two miles the back markers could not make up the handicaps owing to the state of the track, but in ° the longer distances, owing to the front markers not pacing one another, they were able to get up and win. The enthusiasm shown by the record crowd in all the races was great, especially in the last open race of the day, the three and a-half miles. W. Mackie, who won from 80yds behind scratch, together with J. Harcourt, scratch, and S. McCann, 70yds behind scratch, who finished in that order—inches only separating them—all came in for a great reception. The visitors proved themselves too speedy for the local talent in four out of the five races decided. They were all pushing bigger gears than the Auckland boys, which gave them the advantage.

Paeroa Reviewed. W. Mackie, the New Zealand champion, was the hero of the afternoon. He started in all the open events, giving the public good value for their monev. In the shorter distances—the one and two miles—he found the track would not carry the pace, and was unplaced in both events. In the three miles he finished close up second to S. McCann, New Plymouth, appearing to have had enough, as the time 7m 35s from 70yds behind was a remarkable performance on that track. In the five miles and the three and a-half miles events he won easily, just putting in a few effortless, kicks in the straight over the last hundred yards. W. Mackie, the Christchurch fiver, has no intention of leaving New Zealand this season. In conservation with him at Paeroa on Saturday, he informed "Wheelman" that with the exception of an offer of a contract from Jack Campbell, the Melbourne promotor—which he turned down—there is nothing doing.

Mackie's prize money for the day was £27 of, being made up of £5 5/ special points prize, and the balance in the three, three and a-half and five miles events.

S. MeCann, New Plymouth, who won tho three miles event, was in great form. He had the measure of Mackic entering the straight and won by half a length. In the three and a-half and five miles, be did more than his share of the pacing, consequently he was found wanting in thc finishes. In the live miles lie rode a wonderful finish on a flat back tyre. Puncturing entering the finishing straight, he fought (J. Tippins right to the line, and was only then beaten by half a wheeel. In the three and a-lialf miles he was fairly beaten by J. Harcourt, Hamilton, in a ding-dong finish for second place. O. Tippins, who won the two miles event, looked like scooping the day's programme, but once the back markers £ot to him in thc longer events he was done with. IT. Alexander, Hamilton, thc winner of the one mile event, was making his first appearance as a cash rider. In his heat he led nearly all the way and won very easily. In thc final lie was in front over the last two laps and, though tiring, lasted long enough to win bv a length. In the two miles final he led till thc bell lap, when the placed riders took charge, and he finished close up sixth. Riders who did more, than their share of pacing among the front markers were:—H. Alexander in the final of the two miles event, who took four out of the eight laps; T. Russck in thc three miles, who led for six laps; W. Benouf in thc five miles who led for nine laps; and S. G. Martin and J. O. Bricn in the three and a-half miles, who, conjointly, led for 12 laps. Probably the most popular win of the day was that of Slater Haves in the one and a-half mile consolation race. Hayes smashed his machine in the first heat of tl"> two-mile handicap and borrowed ,T court's for this race. Starting oh .. ds he just managed to get up to v.:!i by a length. J. Harcourt and .M i. Randrup, Hamilton, both rode well, but had no luck. Harcourt put in his laps with the scratch division in good style during the afternoon, while Randrup did the same with the middle markers. The latter was favourite for the one and two mile events, but could only get second in the latter event. Harcourt's finish in thc three and a half mile was electrifying just missing getting him first place. Secretary Slyfield was well pleased with the result of tho gathering. The officials one and all knew their jobs, and to this was due the great success of the meeting. There was no sign of riding in the interests of others, or anything that referee Taylor could take exception to. One or two glaring cases of looking round were promptly dealt with, otherwise the racing was of a very high order.

Auckland Club,

The Old-Timers race at Bland ford Park oa Saturday was a revelation in tactics. When the gun went, position was what all *'.iese "never wassers" thought of. With the result that the field of eight riders was bunched at fifty yards. The ]>aco was slow till nearing the bell, when Curvingen and Deau drew away and had the race to themselves. The former sprang a surprise on the favourite Dean, and drawing away over the last hundred yards won by a length. Harry Felham, consistent as usual, won the one mile event very easily on Saturday. Starting off the 30 yards mark lie gradually overhauled the field, and taking charge before the bell, won by a comfortable distance. In the two mile event he found the handicap too solid, ajul also started. H. Lawler, 120 yards, who won the two mil© event, and K. Rae, 120 yards, who ran second, paced each other well. They never gave the back markers a chance of catching them, and when it came to racing thev were the only two in the picture. The Auckland Athletic and Cycling Club will hold one and a half mile and three mile open handicap events at Blandford Park on Saturday. The club also are putting on a racc for boys under 16 years of age, and it is hoped in this way to cater for the young rider who will have his prize as soon as ho lias won it. It is not necessary for these young riders to take out a license, so the entry should be a good one. Hamilton Project. Hamilton is about to have nil up-to-date nine lap to the mile cement banked track. The position is right in the centre of the town, and the seating nnd standing accommodation is in the vicinity of five thousand. The principal in the venture is a well-known Hamilton sport, and the. proposal at present is, when the track is finished, to hold weekly meetings of cycling, running, skating, and later on boxing and wrestling can also be held there. As this sports ground is to be roofed in, the possibilities in connection with the venture are very great. Full particulars will appear next week.

J?. Oaulton, To Aroha, will bp a competitor at Blandford Park at most future meetings. Ho is keen to get as much racing as lie can. At Paeroa ho had the bad luck to go clean over Slater Hayes when ho fell, getting severely knocked about, in tho two mile first "heat. Jle was a spectator for tlio rest of the meeting.