ITINERARY MAY BE MODIFIED ;

Southland Times, Issue 23692, 15 December 1938, Page 11

ITINERARY MAY BE MODIFIED ;

Victorian Athletes’ N.Z, Tour GERALD BACKHOUSE AND E. W. BEST ATHLETIC FEDERATION’S RULE (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 14. Advice has been received by cablegram from the Amateur Athletic Union of Australia by Mr H. McCormick, secretary of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, that permission has been granted the two Victorian ath- 1 letes, G. Backhouse (middle distance runner) and E. W. Best (sprinter), to visit New Zealand at the invitation of the Otago Amateur Athletic Centre. There is, however, a tag to the permission which will probably cause some concern, and which may lead to the itinerary having to be modified. . The tag 'is that the tour is to be subject to compliance with the International Amateur Athletic Federations rule prohibiting athletes from being away on tour for more than 21 days, / except in special circumstances. Arrangements had been made witn the Otago Centre for the two Victorian athletes to appear in Wellington on January 7. Whether, in view of the proviso attaching to the tour, the Wellington centre’s arrangements may be affected is not at present known. Under the 21 days’ rule, an extension can be given to an athlete by the controlling association in his country, it he is selected by that association 'to take part in the Olympic Games, or represent his country in matches: against another country, and there is provision also for the council of the International Amateur Athletic Federation to make extensions in other cases if it deems proper. TOUR WAS TO END AT INVERCARGILL TENTATIVE PROGRAMME FOR VISITORS By SPIKE The Australian runners were, according to the tentative itinerary drawn up by the Otago Centre, to arrive at Bluff by the Maunganui next Sunday, December 18, and depart from again on January 16, on which day they were to compete in Invercargill. Because an appearance at Invercargill could be fitted in on the day of their departure, there seems to be no reason why followers of athletics m Invercargill should be. deprived of an opportunity of seeing Backhouse and Best in action. Backhouse is a splendid middle distance runner. He won the mile at the Centenary Games in Melbourne in which L. C. McLachlan, the Otago runner, secured second place, and when he defeated V. P. Boot in the British Empire Games mile at Sydney early this year to take second place to Alford, of Wales, he bettered J. E. Lovelock’s British Empire Games record. Backhouse is also a brilliant half-miler. He has done Imin 53 1-10 sec and was an Olympic finalist. Best is regarded as one of the most promising sprinters Australia has produced in recent years. His calibre as a sprinter is shown by the fact that he finished third in the British Empire Games 100 yards championship, being beaten by C. B. Holmes, the outstanding British sprinter, and- J. Mumford, also of Australia, in 9 7-10 sec, an Empire Games record. The tentative itinerary arranged for the Victoriaris was as follows:— December 14.—Sail by Maunganui from Melbourne. December 18.—Arrive at Bluff. December 21 (Wednesday).—Compete at Milton. December 26 (Monday).—Compete at Roxburgh. January 2 (Monday).—Compete at Alexandra.

January 4 (Wednseday).—Compete at Ashburton or Blenheim (tentative). January 7 (Saturday).—Compete at Wellington. January 11 '(Wednesday).—Compete at Osiricix’u. January 14 (Saturday).—Compete at Dunedin. January 16 (Monday).—Compete at Invercargill and depart from Bluff. WHIPPET RACING HANDICAPS FOR SATURDAY Following are the handicaps for the Invercargill Whippet Racing Club’s Southland Cup meeting to be held on the track, Oteramika road, on Saturday:— SOUTHLAND CUP HANDICAP.— War< Rose 10yds, Suncup Sandy 14yds, Daring Deed 14yds, Bonnette 9yds, G. Bang 13yds, Mr G. 14yds, Jean Batten 13yds, Tom’s Kid 91yds, Flying Shadow 13yds, Margaret Bell 13yds, Trix Be Good 12yds, Herd Laddie 14yds, Hot Point 14yds, Silver Guy 12yds, Lucky G. 13yds, Tolan 111yds, Madam Min 12|yJs, War Pixie 12yds. IMPROVERS’ HANDICAP.—Fairy! Belle scr, Honest Maid scr, Half and' Half scr, Blue Dragoon scr. JUVENILE HANDICAP—SiIver Slipper 14yds, Black Nuggett 10yds, Bing Crosby 11yds, Happy King 10yds, Royal Irish 17yds, Whang 13yds, Brew Nug 11yds. SECOND CLASS HANDICAP.—Fairy Bell 14yds, Herd Laddie 131yds, Suncup Biddy 14yds, Osborne Beauty 131yds, Princess Fairy 131yds, Daring Deed 14yds, N.uggett 14yds, Half and Half 14yds, Mr G. 14yds. MAIDEN HURDLES HANDICAP.— G. Whiz scr, Madam Min scr, Princess Fairy scr. OPEN HURDLE HANDlCAP.—Bonnette 81yds, G. Whiz : oyds, Margaret Bell 151yds, Trix Be Good 171yds, Madam Min 20yds.