CYCLING IN AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2612, 6 April 1904, Page 51

CYCLING IN AUSTRALIA.

(From Oub Own CoKREsroNDENx.) MELBOURNE, March 29. THE "SYDNEY THOUSAND." WON BY L. COEBETT. At the Cricket Ground in Sydney on Wednesday nigEt last there were 30,000 people present to see the conclusion' of the "Sydney ' Thousand. ' The final of the race was to a certain extent a disappointment, as when the back men had apparently a good chance of overtaking the leaders, Macfarland did not, take a share cif the pacing, and though Taylor made a great effort on his own account, he could get nc nearer than ten yards of the placed men. The race was won by L. Cor- ' bett, with A. E. O'Brien second, and D. J Plunkett, of New Zealand, third. A protest was entered by O'Brien against Plunkett and Corbett, on the ground of collusion. He asserted that he (had been elbowed on to the grass by Plunkett. Details: Berry Handicap. One mile.—First Heat— Taylor (scr) 1, if' Donald (30yds) 2; won by 2ft. Second Heat—Walker (20yds) 1, Scheps 130 yds) 2; won by half a length. Third Heat —J. Filsell (Vie, 40yds) 1, B. P. Kett (Vie, 100 yds) 2; won by half a wheel. Fourth Heat —F. A. Murphy (Vie, 90yds) 1, W. J D. Smith (Vie, 100 yds) 2; won by a length. Fifth Heat—A. J. King (110 yds) 1, B. Goodtoa (100 yds) 2; won by half a wheel. Fina Murphy 1, Goodson 2, Kett 3. Won by a length. Time, lmin 53 l-ssec. Rushcutters' Handicap. Limited to riders who have not won more than ±'3 at the meeting. Two miles.—First Heat—Scheps (20yds) 1, S. B. Gudgeon (60yds) 2, S. Williams (360 yds) 3; won by half a length. Second Heat—S. King (400 yds) 1, Megson (140 yds) 2, Goodson (170 yds) 3; won by five lengths. Third Heat—A. C. Colman (Vie, 210 yds) 1 P. Alisoff (260 yds) 2, F. M'Leau (260 yds) 3; won by ihalf a length. Fourth Heat—W. A Cartwright (270vds) 1, J. Giffen (420 yds) 2, G. J. Turner (400 yds) 3; won by a wheel. Fifth Hetit—W. J. Symonds (Vie, 270 yds) 1, J. Donaghue (270 yds) 2, G. C. Smith (360 yds) 3; won by half a length. Final—Scheps 1, Gudgeon 2, Giffen 3. Won by a length. Time, 4min 7sec. SYDNEY THOUSAND. £1000. One mile. First .£750, second £100, third heat winners divide £100. Final Heat. L. Corbett, N.S.W. (120 yds) .. ..1 A. E. O'Brien (180 yds) 2 W. J. Plunkett, N.Z. (130 yds) .. S Other starters—Maior Taylor (U.S.A.) scr, Floyd Macfarland (U.S A.) scr, H. Downing (U.S.A.) 10yds, D. J. Walker (Vie.) 20yds F H. Scheps (S.A.) 30yds, B. P. Kett (Vie) 100 yds, H. Gordon (N.S.W.) 160 yds, C. Batliie (N.S.W.) 200 yds. At the pistol Taylor went off several yards in front of Macfarland, and qiiickly got up to Downing and Walker. Then the front bunch and back maikers got properly going, and for the first two laps the pace was terrific. Ttfie back men gradually overhauled the leaders, and ihalf a mile from home it looked as if they could overtake them: but at the critical juncture Macfarland refused to take his share cf the pacing. Taylor had consequently to 50 out by himself, and he made a magnificent eSort, but with 400 yds to go he seemed pretty much exhausted, and all hope of him being nnongst the placed man was gone. The front men, who wore well bunched, shot out at a 2;reat pace, Taylor 60yds behind vainly cnieavouring to make up leeway. The sprint for the tape was between Corbett, Plunkett. and O'Brien. Corbett and O'Brien crossed [he line almost together, the former being ?iven the judge's verdict, while Plunkett was mi their wheels. Taylor finished fourth, JO rards behind the p!a<?ed men. Macfarland was Ifth. Time, lmin 51sec. Considering the ugh wind, the race was exceptionally fast.