HARRIER RACING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23717, 25 July 1940, Page 5

HARRIER RACING

CROSS-COUNTRY TITLE PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP REVIEW OF THE PROSPECTS The provincial cross-country harrier championship will be decided over a 10,000 metres course at Ellerslie on Saturday. Ellerslie racecourso is not available this year, so a course that includes two laps of the clay road round tho old Lako St. John basin will be used, together with somo stretches of road. This course is bound to be difficult. Of the first eight to find in the championship last year, fivo will not start next Saturday. A. Harding, tho present Auckland champion. is in canip; W. Briggs and D. Porter are in Egypt with the Expeditionary lorce; and N. Ambler and R. Cromptou are not availablo. Two favourites for first place will no A. Browne, of Lynndale, and A. G. Kofoed, of University. L. R. Wattors, of tho Auckland Club, has strong chances, but he has been inconsistent during tho last few weeks, and the course, too, will not suit him. Browne, an Auckland representative runner, by winning tho Onehunga to Auckland road raco a few weoks ago, showed thut he is fitter than he has over been. ho lias hoon prominent all this year and last season, and as the course is expected to suit him, he has tho best chances of success.

Kofoed, also a representative runner, who has been indisposed during' tho last few weeks, is now fit and well again. Provided ho can produce his best form in soft going, he should bo Browne's moat serious rival. Tho Presbyterian runner, J. I. B. Neil, is always capable of a surprise, as is also L. B. Clarke, of tho Auckland Club. The latter two were second and third respectively in tho last important inter-club event, when Clarke was undoubtedly not properly ,fit. Ho has, therefore, ovcry chance of improving upon that performance.

Tho Technical runner C. Tjittlor always Kains a good place in tho championship, although tlito year ho does not appear to be at his best. Runners who should be prominent are A. MeCulchan and C. Jones, of University, A. Mclnnes, O. Yountr, A. Hamlin anil J. Howells, of Lynndale, and R. Willmott. of Baptist. The Lynndale team, consistine: of A. Browne, A. Mclnnes, J. Howells, O. Young, R. Cathcnrl and A. Hamlin, appears an unbeatable combination. The club won every important team event last year, and is bo far undefeated this year. University, in A. Or. Knfocd, A. McCutchan and C. Jones, has a good trio, but lacks a srood fourth runner. This club and Technical, which is without the services of A. Hardirif? and V. Ibbertson, two of its star performers, arc expected to fill the minor places. The victory of the young University harrier I. Turbott in the junior provincial crosscountry championship at Birkenhead last Saturday was not unexpected, for. although Turbott has not contested any of the important open races, ho has been very outstanding: in club events this season. Ah it is his first season at tho sporj, his win is very meritorious .He was always handy and only in the last half-mile did ho draw love! with A. Appleton, (ho Ellerslio junior, who gavo him ii hard race. Appleton provided a surprise by finishing second. He led for a (rood part of the latter portion of the journey, and had just a little lens sprinting power than Turbott at the finish. C. Jones, of University, who finished third, was one of tho favourites for first place owing to his prominence in the Onchiinga-Auckland and Great Eastern road races. In tho former be was the first junior home. He performs better in road races, unless tho course .is very firm. His third place was very creditable, however, for he is only 17 vears of age. Last year's winner, Pr. Sinton, of Lynndale, finished fourth after running a Rood race. Botli lie and A. Wellborn, of Ellerslie, who last year was runner-up to Sinton, appeared n littlo stale. This is not surprising, for both indulged in hard racing all last winter, throughout tho summer, and have hail no rest this season. The Baptist Club, runner-up last year, pinned its hones upon the fine, yountr athlete. ■T. Kncey, who last year finished third, and R. Willmott. NTacey has been ill, lioweyer. and lacked the necessary racing experience. Nevertheless, tie ran a fine raco to finish fifth, with Willmott, who had contested every inch of the way with him, next in order. With several clubs appearng to have almost equal chances for the teams championship, this event was watched with particular interest. University, with Ist, 3rd, 14th and Ifith places, proved outstandingly successful with 33 points, tho next best club, Baptist, showing a score of 48 points. Ellerslie, the club most favoured for first, finished third with 02 points.