HARRIER NOTES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 225, 19 June 1936, Page 17

HARRIER NOTES

Prospects for Dome Cup Race INTER CLUB EVENT TO-MORROW

(By

Wllll’l’Eß-IN.)

Saturday’s fixture: Five-mile inter-club race for the Dome Cup. Buses leave Bunny Street at 2 p.m. for Hutt Park. King's Birthday: Scottish club’s 5-mile handicap inter-club race; St. Giles Church, Kilbirnie, 11 a.m.

Last Saturday saw every harrier club participating in solid runs in an endeavour to get as fit as possible tor the Dome Cup race to-morrow. Wellington club was the only club J have a race, the Press Cup being competed for- at Lyall Bay over one lap of the Vosseler course. One of the outstanding features of this race was the comparatively slow times registered by, at least, the top men of the club. Conditions were ideal for racing, and the ground was in good order and condition, yet in eompar.son with other races held over the same course the times registered were disappointing. Murray was expected to put up faster time than he did. No doubt Murray's time was affected by the fact that he allowed slower runners than himself to make the pace lor him for at least two miles. This apparently was due either to instructions or inexperience. Had he gone to the front right trom the beg uiling and made the pace the re suit would have been different inasmuch as the time for the race would have been faster and perhaps some alterations would have ensued in the minor placings. Last Saturday’s effort will stand Murray in good stead for the Dome Cup race. He now has more idea of his ability to stayover five miles, and if he does not overdo the pace in the initial two m.les he should finish well up in his first inter-club race, and on present form should be the first man home for his club. It is pleasing to see Charlie Chalk out again. His first effort last week indicates that he is far from fit, and in consequence will not tin.sh so far up as he is capable of doing. Nevertheless his appearance iu the Dome Cup should inspire his elub mates to greater efforts, and Chalk should be instrumental in bringing aloug his team and placing them in a better position. Dome Cup Race.

Indications point to a very stern struggle with plenty of exciting episodes and thrilling finishes. It is quite a few years since such keenness was in evidence as it is to-dqy. In practically every instance clubs have been training seriously with an eye on the Dome Cup. Scottish club has held th-s cup for five years now, and it is high time some other club came to light and regained tne trophy. Whether there are any clubs capable of doing that remains to be seen, but this year will witness a tremendous struggle for possession of the Dorne Cup with the odds slightly in favour of the holders. Each year has seen the margin of victory gradually reduced, but it will take ten strong men and true to wrest the cup From Scottish. Wellington and Brooklyn clubs catch the eye as dangerous contenders this year. Wellington club possesses some fine runners, and these men have been training hard right through the season. Murray, Brady, McKinnon, McConchie should finish well to the fore, but it is hard to visualise the team finishing in the first twenty-five to thirty places—which is what they will require to do if they wish to take possession of the Dorne Cup. Their first six runners should, however, on form break up the teaming of Scottish and so help their back men. Then again Brooklyn club is always a force to be reckoned with. They, in common with Wellington club, have been training more consistently this season than they have done for a long time, and must accordingly reap the benefit. Pedersen and Prosser are real forces to be contended with, and both these runners should be with and finish with the leaders. Barclay, another tried warrior, has not yet reached the peak of his form, but he undoubtedly will be a source of inspiration to his team mates, and if they stick to him it should greatly enhance Brooklyn’s prospects of rega.ning the shield. Some of Brooklyn’s novices have beep showing fine form so far this season, and this race will prove the acid lest for them. Each club has its outstanding runners, and these men will break up team combinations. In the Olympic club Richardson and Lovatt should be outstanding, while Congalton, of Presbyterian, is another runner who should make good tomorrow. The performances of all clubs should be an improvement on last year. A record field is expected, and it should be found when a survey of the race ’s made that the "youngsters” or junior members of the clubs have performed meritoriously. Scottish club faces a hard task ahead of it. This should not, however, cause it too much worry, as it has proved itself to be possessed of strong fighting courage. In Riddington, Stevens, Tunbridge, and Woodley the club has four stalwarts who have proved their ability to keep the Scottish tail up and wagg.ng. Provided these men run to form they should assist materially in helping their club to retain the Dorne Cup. Strong support will, however, require to be forthcoming from the lesser lights of the club and provided they give that support the odds are slightly in favour of Scottish retaining the Dorne Cup. C. Bruce, a sccond-year runner for Scottish, has been making rapid improvement each run, and .it would not he surprising to sec him finish in the first fifteen runners. Riddington should have enough speed to finish in first place. He will undoubtedly be strongly challenged by other leading harriers, and will require to burn up the ground if he wishes to be the winner. The first six places are very open, and accordingly it is very difficult _ro place the actual runners. Of one thing one can he certain, and that is that the race will be an excellent one to watch, with plenty of thrills for the onlookers, and it will he competed for in the finest possible sporting spirit. Scottish Inter-club Handicap.

This year has seen the innovation of an inter-club handicap race, which is being sponsored by the Scottish club. This race, which will be competed for on the King’s Birthday, commencing from the Sf. Giles Church, Kilbirnie, at 11 a.m.. has been inaugurated for the express purpose of providing visiting harriers with an opportunity of running against any harrier in the district. Being a handicap one it also gives the poorer rnnpcrs an opportunity of .gaining a trophy. In the past it has been felt that the visiting harrier has not been catered for nt all, and it is hoped that this race will >n some small way help to overcome tint shortcoming. A great deal of interest is being created in the race, and a really good field is expected. No doubt _ some runners who do not run too well in the Dorne Cup will take this opportunity of turning the tables on their club mate or rival in another elub. “Whipper-In” has been informed that Colburn Wright, a Hawke’s Bay runner of outstanding ability, intends competing, and in addit nn practically every club in Wellington will be represented. Some tine running will be witnessed in this event, which shows every promise of becoming an established race' of some importance in the future.