SPECIAL CONTESTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19597, 31 March 1938, Page 18

SPECIAL CONTESTS

PROFESSIONALS TRAIN SOLID TRACK WORK DISTANCE RACES By “Floodlight” Several special events will be staged at to-night’s floodlight sports meeting on the Victoria Domain, and in preparation for them professional cyclists and athletes have been putting in some solid training. An outstanding event will be the 25-lap cycle race, which is expected to produce performances of an exceptionally high standard. The prospects of the race have aroused considerable interest among followers of the sport and some generous donations have been made towards the prize list. Mr. E. Bloomfield has donated a cup to be won outright by the winner, Mr. K. O'Connell a racing saddle, and Mr. W. Watts a pair of tubes for the rider finishing in fourth place. A three-mile running race will be another feature and it will be the first occasion that this distance has been contested on the Domain. A keen race should be witnessed. Another innovation will be provided by the handicap hurdle race for greyhounds, and Nottus, the champion hurdling dog, will be conceding as much as 25yds. A challenge race between Fiery’s Gift, Cordial King and Nottus is expected to provide a close contest. Greyhound Trials In the greyhound trials on Monday evening Wee Step and Starlight were the first to work, Wee Step running well to finish several lengths ahead of Starlight. Niccodemus, Silver Lip and Cuddle were the next to work. Cuddle showing -a big. improvement to narrowly defeat the others. Fiery’s Gift, the most outstanding dog of the professional season, galloped with Radiant Sun. This pup would be a favourite in any maiden field. The fastest gallop of the evening was registered by Radiant Call. This pup is brilliant and if he keeps on improving as is expected he 'should rank amongst the best in New Zealand. Cyclists on the Track J. Ferguson rode a steady 30 laps, finishing off with several fast sprints. This lad is riding exceptionally well and has possibilities of developing into a top notch rider. Robbie Thomson confined himself to pace work and a few short bursts of speed with his young brother "Pompey.” A Hughes worked out over a fast 20 laps. He is peddling a big gear and seems to go a lot better as a result. D. Gooch rode a steady 10 lans and. hod two sprints. W. Roulson (Australia) worked over 50 laps, mixing his training with fast sprinting. V. Bai has been having a sfcell from the track, but with solid training should be fit for Easter. V. Steggall has been letting up also. J. Gooch is training at home on a “home trainer.” (i. Wohnseidler is confining himself to road work and is bringing himself into condition. L. White is training conscientiously and is improving every meeting. Charlie Davis is doing most of his riding on the road. Harry Davis is ir great condition and will ride the 25 laps out to the bitter end. Bertie Davis, the club’s most consistent rider, has been putting in solid work and should go well over the distance. Sprinters and Distance Men H. Hicks covered 10 laps at a comfortable working pace. H. Clare ran 18 laps at a good clip, with a fast sprint up the straight. This boy is striking torm and should give a good account of himself in the three-mile marathon. T. Trengrove, who is suffering from a heavy cold, did light work. He hopes to be all right to-night as the threemile is his best distance. J. Wickens and the Cameron Bros, are putting in solid work on the racecourse. .P. Allen ran a good race in the seven-lap last week and if in form should be hard to dispose of to-night. J. Dunsmore did four laps and several breaks. E. White jogged five laps and Had several breaks. N. Harvey is training on his track at home. D Dennett, a promising junior, is being tutored by the club coach in the afternoons. Miss G. Gooch is showing an improvement. A new performer, Miss Ansell, promises well and should make every effort to attend the practice night so that the club cajtfh can correct her style. Mrs. Lloyd trains consistently. SJje is to be seen on the track of a morning and has shown a vast improvement since the beginning of the season. Bob Fenton is in fine fettle and shows a lot of pace for 75yds. F. Cox did pace work over 13 laps. This runner is doing particularly well. M T.e : ?h. who worked at a steady pace over 15 laps, looks very fit.