CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 27, 2 February 1932, Page 12

CYCLING.

THE CASH RIDERS

LAST WEEK'S TRACK FORM. WADE RIDING BRILLIANTLY. FIXTURES, i February 3.—One-mile Handicap, Khyber Pass. 0.45 p.m. February 6.—-Waikato A. and P. Association Gymkhana (Claudelands). February JO.—One and a half Mile Handicap. February 13. — Morrinsville Friendly Societies' Sports. Brilliant riding by the hack-markers was the outstanding feature o.f the Auckland Cyde Club's two-mile handicap at the Khyber Pass grass track last Wednesday evening. Quite a fair crowd of spectators foregather at this track each week now to see the events, and in the last couple of contests have 'been delighted with good riding. The track was again fast, and the newly-laid eireuit again showed to advantage over the old one. The twelve starters were:—F. Lowndes, 0. Porter, 350 yds; A. Mackrell, 300 yds; J. Cobb, 250 yds; C. Galbraith, 220yde; A. Conning (Te Aroha), 200 yds; W. Archer, 180 yds; S. Litchfield, 80yds; E. A. Cleaver, IW. Pratney, S. .Hayes, 50yds; J. H. Wade, scr. At the mile (6 laps),, Lowndes and Porter, who had iheen team- ' ing well, held a nice advantage over the middle men, who were not eo doing. The five back-markers were also teaming well together, gradually making up their leeway. Four laps to go the two leaders still had a nice break oh the rest, whereupon Pratney shot away to bridge the gap. Doing a splendid lap he took the back team up to the middle men, and withi" striking distance of the leaders. Litchfield did a fast one next lap, and here Porter went away, with Wade, Litchfield, Archer, Pratney and Cleaver in full cry. They got him just before the bell lap, where Wade shot to the front, Pratney was "pocketed" and making an effort to get clear. He did so, and with Litchfield, set after the scratch men to have a great race to the line. Wade holding to his early advantage to win 'by half a length from Pratney, with the fastfinishing Litchfield half a wheel away. Cleaver was fourth, three lengths back, followed by Archer and Porter. Pratney Unfortunate. Jack H. Wade (scr), is riding brilliantly this season, and again demonstrated in this race that leading position at the bell is of great advantage to a rider, especially when, one or two others are good lap sprinters. Litchfield proved this the previous week when he beat Wade, and the latter also when he won two other contests. Jack handles the small track well, and his dashing riding makes him a T*t favourite with the onlookers.

Bill Pratney (.50yds) is in great form at present, and of late has also become a favourite by (his dazzling displays -of fast pedalling. To Mm much of the credit goes in the back 'men getting tip, 'by his ifast lap; it was a real .beauty. Unfortunately for him he got "pocketed" at the bell Jap and had to make a fast run right round the outside of the bunch to chase Wade. He finished well in the straight, .but the extra ground ihe had to cover told its tale, only failing 'by half a length. Syd. Litchfield (80yds), followed up his win with another good performance, and has evidently struck his hest form at last. He undoubtedly loft his finishing effort too late, as he was flying at the finish, and doing 'better than either Wade or Pratney in the writer's opinion. This rider, .along /With the two previous-men-tioned, should give a good account of themselves at Hamilton next Saturday. Erie Cleaver (50yds) did well for his second ride on the track to finish fourth. He was noticed putting in some good lapping, and next week's race will see him riding over the distance he recorded his last win a few weeks back ae an amateur. Wally Archer and Ossie Porter both went good races, and should be better suited by next week's distance. J. Cobb, late of To Aroha. who had his first ride, will do better when he gets acquainted with the track. He has been a winner at some of the country meets. A. Conning (To Aroha) was up on holiday. Club News. ; As the writer predicted in last week's notes so it eventuated. Doug. Aberhart and "Kik" Hansen, of Whakatane, performed well at Awakeri on Anniversary Day. Aberhart won the two-miler and Armstrong Cup,' and was second in the three-mile. Hansen won the three-mile and was third in the half and. one mile. T. MeSweeney (Te Aroha) won the mile and finished second and third in the two and threc-mileis. George Rollerson failed to gain a place, and, like .most of the back men, could not get to the middle-markers on account of the bad corners. The following Aucklanders intend competing at the gymkhana at Hamilton next Saturdav:--.Jack Wade, Jack Whitten, Slater Hayes. Bill Pratney, Syd. Litchfield, George Rcllerson and J. Cobb. AUCKLAND PROFESSIONALS. The handicaps declared by Mr. G. L. Knight for the Auckland Cycle Club's one mile event at Khyber Puss track on Wednesday at 5.45 p.m. are: —J. H. Wade, J. wiiitten, scr: W. Pratney, 20yds; B. A. Cleaver, S. Litchfield, 35yds; S. Hayes, 45yds; G. Hall, K. Mathleson, 80yds; K. RaV. W. Archer. HJOycls; 8. Kara, W. Mathleson, 110 yds; D. Fletcher, G. Kolier?on, I23vds; L. G. Pinfold, C. G. Galbraith, 135 yds; K. J. Avery, H. Clay, K. Whyte, 145 yds : A. Rose, 51. Hibburt, F. Taylor, J. Cobb. 170 yds; A. Mackroll, G. Thompson, D. Storey, C. A. Wlllcox, 1.. Tomlcins, R. R. Wnlson, 195 yds: O. Porter. V. E. Lowndes. 210 yds: T. Davis, H. Moody, W. Hills, H. King, 225 yds.

UNIVERSITY CLUB,

Two cycle races will be decided at the University College Amateur Athletic Club's evening meeting at the Auckland Domain to-morrow at 5.4. r , o'clock. Mr. J. Auckrain has declared the following handicaps : —

One Mile and 0 Half Opcu Senior Event. — First heat: M. P. Byrnes, H. R. Dwight, scr ; F. J. Casey, 25yds; G. P. Clark, 35yds; A. W. D. Robinson, 50yds; L. Oxton, 75yds ; G. Jones, 80yds ; N. B. Casey, 85yds ; N. Gribble, 95yds; L. M. Nicholson, 110 yds ; P. Godder, 135 yds; C. Rae, 140 yds; H. W. Bellini, 170 yds; W. Crocker, 180 yds; A. Green, 190 yds. Second heat : F. .7. Grose, A. G. Mackie, scr; H. M. McElroy, 25yds; S. G. Webster, 40yds; I. C. Laloli, Usyds; B, Hall, 70yds; 10. Mullane, 80yds; E. D. Andrews, S. Pinfold, 95yds; B. Scott, 130 yds; F. Kent, 135 yds; C. Johnson, 3 45vds; H. Blnomenthal, I. H. Reed, 105 yds; H. Manning, 180 yds. Third heat: R. G. Foubister, scr; L. H. Dwight. 15yds; H. O. Browne. 35yds; S. J. Bnird, 40yds; H. Webb, 65yds ; G. J. Whitehouse, 75yds ; W. Dwight, 85yds; H. G. Brewin, 95yds; C. H.-insen, 110 yds; K. N. Clark, 135 yds; R. C. Chappell, 140 yds H. Morris. 160 yds; W. Borland, 370 yds; H. Brear. 190 yds. One Mile Junior Event.—First heat: H. V. Gordon, scr; I. C. Bellini, 00yds; A. Brass. 70yds; S. J. Ward, 80yds: H. Enderby. A. M. Keith, 3 30yds; W. F. J. Elliott, 145 yds; A. Davies, 190 yds. Second heat: J. H. McLachlan. scr; E. Collins, 70yds; A. F. Johnson, 90yds; J. R. Hall, 110 yds: H. J. Starke, 130 yds: P. H. Bieknell, 145 yds; J. Gillbanks, 240 yds. A. AND N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIP. WELLINGTON, Monday. This year the Australian and New Zealand 100 miles road racing championship lor professional cyclists is to be held in Taranaki, the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union having granted the Taranaki Centre's request to hold the race. This will mean that the usual round-the-mountain road race will include Australian competitors. It will be the first time that the race has been held in New Zealand.