ATHLETICS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22310, 26 January 1938, Page 14

ATHLETICS

*- MANY CLOSE FINISHES

EVENING MEETING AT LANCASTER PARK

After the recent heavy rains the track at Lancaster Park was slow for running events at the evening handicap meeting organised by the Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. Large fields contested each event, and in most races the finishes were close, although no very good times were recorded. Results were:—

100 Yards—First heat: H. Cook OJyds) 1, A. Craig (Byds) 2, N. A. Smith (7Jyds) 3. Time, 10 l-ssec. Second heat: C. Knight (6£yds) 1, G. D. Armishaw (7yds) 2, H. C. Weatherhead (7Jyds) 3. Time, 10 2-ssec. Third heat: J. Hardie (syds) 1, H. Rhihd (6Jyds) 2, F. Milligan (7yds) 3, Time, 10 2-ssec. Fourth heat: G. Harker (4Jyds) 1, S. Baker (syds) 2, A. Thompson (sJyds) 3. Time, 10 3-ssec. Final: Cook 1, Hardie 2, Knight 3. Time, 10 3-ssec.

100 Yards, Junior—First heat: H. ,J. Anderson (4yds) 1, W. J. Christiansen (scr) 2, R. Brown (syds) 3. Time, 11 l-ssec. Second heat: R. Thompson (4yds) 1. S. Almond (syds) 2, M. McCausland (scr) 3. Time, 11 l-ssec. Final: Thompson 1, Almond 2, Anderson 3. Time, Usee. Half-mile—A. Hood (75yds) 1, K. W. Robinson (35yds) 2, C. W. McCombie (35yds) 3. Time, lmin 56 2-ssec. One Mile A Grade Relay (880 yds, 440 yds, 220 yds. 220yds)—Sydenham (M. B. Marks, C. Knight, J. Hardie, R. Downie) 1, Canterbury 2. Time,, 3min 46sec. Won by 25 yards. One Mile B Grade Relay (880 yds, 440 yds, 220 yds, 220yds)—Sydenham (A. Brown, D. Brown, A. Earl, H. Rhind) 1, Presbyterian 2. Time, 4min 1 l-ssec. Won by 50 yards. Throwing the Javelin—K. Brown (20ft) 1, L. Pearson (scr) 2, A. W. Lohrey (15ft) 3. Distance, 153 ft 4in. 100 Yards, Women—Miss K. Callinan (scr) 1, T. Valentine (7yds) 2, D. Lane (7yds) 3. Time, 12sec. 440 Yards Relay. Women (four distances of 110yds)—Westonians (D. Lane, J. Fraser, M. Hall, K. Callinan) 1. Technical '2s Time, 58 *»sseai, w.aa by. ivs yards,

TROTTING NOTES

Reminders

Acceptances for the first day of the Wellington Trotting Club's meeting will close on Monday at 8 p.m. Nominations for the Canterbury Park Trotting Club's meeting will close next Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Forbury Park To-morrow Reports from Dunedin indicate that the track is in good order for the opening day of the Forbury Park Troting Club's meeting to-morrow. Betting will be on the single-pool system, as at the club's spring fixture, and a successful meeting should be held.

Solid Trotters There are several young trotters of great promise in the Vauxhall Handicap, but Peggotty's two wins in as many starts are likely to see her go out at a short price. She is solid and speedy, and her efforts indicate that she is capable of holding her own in this company. Jenny's Guy has given indications of being at least useful, and she will be coupled with a good performer in Parrish Guide. The latter, a winner at Timaru, is above the average. Gaynor has the speed to find her prominent. Several good efforts have 'gone to the credit of Anna's Vovage of late, and he is another who will be strongly supported here.

Fremont's Prospects Fremont has done lirfic racing oi late, but in his few outings he has shown great promise, and his prospects of winning the Southland Handicap are considered as being outstanding. In his three races at the Auckland Cup meeting he gained a first, a second, and a third, and he was regarded £s one of the most unlucky horses at that fixture. Wax Vestas and New Ideal are recent winners who will start from the same mark as Fremont, while Policy and Marlene are set to give him 12 yards start. Marlene impressed when she was beaten into second place at the recent Timaru meeting, and she will need to show little Improvement to test the Americanbred pacer thoroughly.

Outstanding Improvers In Great Divide and Loyal Pat the Electric Handicap contains two of the most promising young pacers in commission at the moment, and they are likely to monopolise the attention of backers. Both won handsomely in their respective classes at the recent Canterbury Park meeting, and they can be expected to show an improvement on their best to date. Molly Direct is another young performer of merit and her best form has been little below the standard set by Great Divide and Loyal Pat. Agility, Icevus, Red Pigeon, Carver Doone, Credit Funds, and Donald Dhu go to make this one of the best fields of its kind seen out for sometime.

Dunedin Cup Almost from the time of nominations, Parisienne and Plurus have held pride of place in the high-class field entered for the Dunedin Cup and they are likely to hold their positions. Both are young horses of great promise who have won their way to this company by a series of outstanding performances, and both have yet to reach the limit of their capabilities. Pot Luck is also well up in the order of favouritism, and his recent displays justify his inclusion amone the best fancied of this field. Cloudy Range and Evicus have remained off the winning list for some time, but both are capable of springing a surprise. Neither Graham Direct nor War Buoy can be counted out, and with- the race run to suit them they will be far from disgraced. The backmarker, Willow Wave, has displayed rare ability on this track, and the majority of his best performances have been given here. Although inclined to be slow away, he will carry solid and well earned support.

Middle-class Trotters A fair number of the trotters engaged in the Otago Handicap will be seen out in the first event on the programme. Pilot Peter, on 60 yards behind here, is not set an easy task, but he appears capable of overcoming his handicap. In his few races to this period of the season he has shown himself to be a good deal cbove his present class and a solid showing will find him prominent. Anna's Voyage is nicely placed on the limit to test Pilot Peter, and he may be all the better for a race earlier in the day. Also on the limit, Parrish Guide gives indications of staying on, and the distance here will be in his favour. A Well Matched Field There is an even collection of pacers in the Musselburgh Handicap, in which backers will be offered a wide range of selections. It is probable, however, that Ferry Post will attract most attention. During the short period in which he has been racing he has been successful on Two occasions, and in each case he displayed more than average ability. Bill Grattan and Cruiser can both cover the mile and three furlongs here at a fast clip, while last Jason's form pointed to Dusky Sound as a likely improver. Dusky Sound, at his best, is likely to prove equal •to much better class later in the season. ■

In Winning Form

Nine horses have been paid up for in the King George Handicap, and while the field, is not a big one. it is select. Over a period Iraq, a winner at Timaru, has been showing aV his old dash, and the distance in this event should allow him to be seen to further advantage. A good beginner, he has a fine turn of speed. Isobel Derby is inclined to moody displays, but Recess is consistent and honest, and'she is due to return to the winning list at an early date. But for her slowness away from the barrier, Renown's Best would come into greater favour. Even though she is liable to dwell at the barrier, she win be among the well supported divisionSouthern Smile and Rongomai are smart at this distance.

Lucky Jack's Opportunity In the event of Plutus forgoing .his engagement in the Flying Handicap, the fast mile and a quarter, Lucky Jack will stand in a class of his own, and although lie has been responsible for some disappointing showings on this track, he will be a firm favourite. •He raced consistently at the Auckland Cup meeting for minor placings against much stronger opposition than he will meet here, and he should rind yttle difficulty in holding his own. Guy Junior, Evicus, Satin King, and Cloudy Range have yet to prove that they are back to their previous best form, and Tempest is set to give good starts. It appears that the only likelihood of Lucky Jack being severely tested on this occasion will be by the inclusion of Plutus in the field.