CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 290, 8 December 1931, Page 13

CYCLING.

THE CASH RIDERS. LAST WEEK'S TRACK TOPICS. WHITTEN'S GOOD EFFORT. FIXTURES. December o—Three-mile Handicap, Khyber Pass Road, 5.45 p.m. ; . December 16—Two-mile Handicap. December 26 —Springdale Sports Carnival. January I—Te Aroha Fire Brigade Sports Carnival. That the Auckland Cycle Club's weekly evening track events at their new track in Khyber Pass Road are going to prove popular with members this year was clearly illustrated last ■ Wednesday, when a splendid field of eighteen riders faced the starter over 1% miles. The election day half-holiday may have had something to do with the large field, but, judging by the enthusiasm being ■ displayed by the members, who are delighted with the track, good fields can b ( e expected each week. The race.was thus divided into two heats and final, and the large assembly of spectators on this occasion were' treated to some good'racing, and saw Jack Whitten, the scratch man, riding .in his best form.

The first heat-saw the following line up: H. King, O. Porter, 240 yds; 'M. Hibburt, 180 yds; N. Whyte, 170 yds; L. Pinfold, 100 yds; D. Fletcher, 90yds; W. Pratney, 00yds; J. Wade, scratch. The front man set a solid pace all the way, Porter and Hibburt doing all the pacing. Fletcher, Pratney, and Wade made strenuous efforts to get up, but Hibburt went over the line a length ahead of Porter; with Whyte the same distance away, third. Wade got up into fourth place, two lengths behind the latter, and thus got into the final. Time, 3.52. . ■.■■■•■

In the second heat were: F. Lowndes, 240 yds; C. Willcox, T. Davis, 200 yds; A. Mackrell, 180 yds; K. Rae, 170 yds; W. Archer, 130 yds ;, C- Galbraith, 90yds; K. Mathieson, 70yds; S. Litchfield, 30yds; J. Whitten, scratch. This''Was a good'race, and although the long markers worked well to hold the back men off, Whitten arid Mathieson were up with two laps to go. With the bell Whitten shot to the lead, followed by Mackrell, Mathieson, Archer, and Rae bunched. The leader went on to score easily by two lengths from Archer, who finished well, a length • ahead of Mackrell. Rae surprised by outsprinting Mathieson for. fourth position. Time, 3.53 1-5. ..•■■'. ,

The final saw Whitten • ride with fine judgment, and, with Wade, his co-marker, teamed wonderfully to bridge the 130-yard gap to Archer. Half a mile to go Wade cried enough, Whitten setting out after the bunched field on his own. . Porter up to this stage had carried the field along at a steady bat onjiis own, and then cried a go. Just before the bell lap ■ Whitten got his field with a sharp burst down the back, and, with the bell, shot past them, followed by Rae; He held his advantage to score by a length from line, with Whyte two lengths away, third, and. Hibburt next, finishing on. Time, 3.47.

. Rae Riding Well. Jack Wliitten (scratch) opened'his track season well, showing all his last season's ability, and at the holiday carnivals at Christmas should be equal to collecting some of the good prize-money. offering. The two-mile £20 wheel race on New Year's Day should find Jerry on hand at the finish, as this is his pet distance. He did not do much racing on the road until tho latter end of the season, deciding to concentrate his efforts to the track. Ken Rae (170 yds) followed up his previous week's win with another effort, as the writer predicted on that performance. He should improve further with, racing, and wind up the season with a good record. He deserves to. for he has not had the best of luck of late. Norm. Why to (170 yds) annexed another third, to make two on end. Previously this rider- only shone up to a mile, and it is therefore pleasing to see him ; getting a distance now. He is a possibility at Christmas if he starts, as he will have nice handy, marks.

Murray Hibburt (180 yds) finished on determinedly, to get. fourth, after drifting back. This was caused through him not getting a breather, both he and Porter taking more than their ehare of the pacing. : ..—••■■ A word here to some of the contestants last week: should not be out of place as regards "taking a: lap," as the term implies. In the-race under review it was noticeable that many, when they got up with the '. leaders, were quite content to " sit in," arid let their: mates do-all the work. This, as a rider knows, is not a sporting action, and while there is no rule to say they must, the sooner they realise it is generally to their own advantage the better. The lap steward can call on a man whoni'he considers loafing to take his share, and the writer has seen this done very often, at big sports carnivals. .T. Davis, from Bill Pratney's camp, and A. Mackrell, ex-amateur from Manukau Club, were;having their first ride with the club. Mackrell rode a good race in his heat to get'third, but tired in the Anal. Davis is . getting ready for the holiday meetings. ... It has not been decided as yet, but an additional . point. may be awarded to starters for the points cup. So, riders, roll up, it may be to your advantage in the end.

AUCKLAND HANDICAPS

The handicaps declared by Mr. G. L. Knight for the Auckland Cyclo Club's three-mile event, to be held ou Wednesday evening at p.m., are:—.T; Whit ton. J. Wade, scratch; S. Hayes, GOyds; S. Litchfield, 80yds; W. Pratney, 3 00yds; K. Mathleson, 120 yds; W. Mathicsou, D. Fletcher, C. G.ilbraith, S. Kara, L. Pinfold, 170 yds; G. Hall, W. Archer, 190 yds; K. Rae, E. A very, N. Healey, 220 yds: N. Whyte, J. Jacobs, G. Rollerson, 11. Clay, 250 yds; M. Hibburt, F. Taylor, J. McDonald, A. Mackrell, 280 yds; D. Storey, C. Willcox, T. Davis, h. Tomktns, K. Watson, 330 yds; W. Hills, O; Porter, F.• Lowndes, H. King, H. Moody, 360 yds.