CASH CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 301, 21 December 1939, Page 12

CASH CYCLING.

WADE BACK TO FORM.

BICKNELL BROS. PROMINENT,

With the holiday meetings close at hand, large fields paraded for a final flutter at the Auckland and Metropolitan Clubs' meetings this week at Western Springs Stadium.

The Auckland Club's one mile event saw the middle-markers work well, and although the scratch men were in a handy position at the bell, they did not have enough in reserve for the final sprint. Knight was the first to accelerate, but tired, and then W. Hansen made a lightning move from the top of the bank to get a well deserved win from F. Popham, who followed him through. K. Edkins was a good third. Hansen is riding really well this season, and has met with a fair measure of success. Popham should be encouraged by his second, as he appears •to let opportunities go when ending strongly.

Jack Wade produced his old form to win the five miles handicap points race off scratch, Out of eight sprints he won four, was three times second, and once third (30 points). K. Kniglit was runner-up, winning two sprints and three seconds. His five points handicap gave him (2-1 points), B. Gaving, handicap 17 points, was third with a total of 21 points. In the Metropolitan Club's half-mile handicap the scratch men were up about half-way. Jack Bicknell led out in the sprint, followed by his brother Percy, and just when it looked like being a family affair, Willis came from the ruck to split the pair.

The two miles race after three laps developed into a crawl as the field had bunched early. The Bicknell brothers were watching Willis this time for any forward move, and when the bell went the pair jumped away, clear of him. Percy went on to score nicely from T. Horner, whom Willis just failed to head after a good effort. The Bicknell brothers 'and Willis are in good form for the holiday meetings.

The Auckland Club staged the combined meeting, at which J. Wade again rode in excellent form, winning the half-mile handicap from scratch in 58 l-ss. T. Horner (40yds) was second, and D. Hills (70yds) third. Wade showed a fine turn of speed, and when the gun went gained fully 30 yards on the three other scratch men ere they got going, and then overhauled the Held in three-quarters of a lap. The 10 miles A grade Derby went to D. Hills' (13 points) who rode exceptionally well and surprised everyone by beating a strong field. He rode well in this type of race last season. J. Wade was second with 9 points, while P. Bicknell and H. Chappell tied for third with 8 points. The five miles B grade went to K. Edkins, who rode strongly throughout to collect 16 points, t. Horner, 9 points, was second, and M. Hodgins, 4 points, next.