CYCLING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6362, 17 December 1898, Page 6

CYCLING.

CHMSTCHURCH CLUB. ANNIVERSARY MEETING. The annual race meeting of ■the Christchurch Cycling Club was commenced at Lancaster Park yesterday, in the presence of about four thousand spectators. Notwithstanding the unpleasantness of a boisterous '.nor'-wester, which prevailed during the earlier part of the afternoon, the sports | gathering was eminently successful from every point of view:. Large fields came out for "each event, and the, racing was the finest that has yet been seen in Christchurch. The principal feature of the meeting was the New Zealand Wheel Race, for. which only one rider scratched, thus leaving the .record number of fifty-six in the classic event, and these fought out the finishes' in the three preliminary heats. Each heat produced a surprise ; for although the back-mark men made up the. handicaps in good style, and some >vere ; 'placed. in their; respective heats, other riders tcok first honours. In the first " heat,' C, C. Derrett, of Hororattf; shot 1 out in a brilliant manner in the last KaIMSpV astd r '' T TvonTTi.witii. the greatest of ease. In the second a similar surprise was furnished by H. Holland, an Ashburton rider. The third heat fell to Arthur Holmes, of Christchurch. who thoroughly justified the handicapper's estimate of him by the well-judged sprint which won him the race. Amongst the scratch | riders G: Sutherland, who won the Wheel Race last' Anniversary Day from, a long handicap, showed the best form. In the "Cyclist" Challenge Shield Race, which produced a magnificent finish, he rode with fine judgment, and. sprinting side by side with Barker and Kalston in the straight, took first place by half a wheel. Sutherland i also wcr. the final of the Half-mile Handicap, and was fourth in his heat of the Wheel Race. Barker's riding in the latter event was undeniably good, and he won his heat of the Half-mile, but did not start in the final. Considerable interest centred in the riding of A. Jones, the present' champion of Hon.olulu..; • Jones, proved, himself "to be an accomplished pedaller, . and earned, enthusiastic applause -from the spectators by the exceedingly clever manner in which, when apparently hopelessly, blocked,- he cone like a flash and won the Dash Handicap. Jones also secured ' fourth place in the Wheel Race. Ralston's chance in the Wheel Race was spoilt by Bennett and Tiemey falling in front of "him in the last lap, and J. W. Jones, fche Alliance champion, had the misfortune to fall while in a good position thirty yards from the finishing post. In the amateur event, K. Bassett out-classed the other competitors. The arrangements made by the committee were thorough, and reflected credit upon all concsrned^ in ; the management. The various events' were run off smartly, the last being concluded a few minutes before five o'clock. The continuation of the picket fence from the new stand to the old, and the special supervision of extra officials kept the track and lawn clear. The following officials were responsible for the conduct of the meeting: — Referee, Mr' W. E. Thompson ; judges, Messrs J. P. Kelly, C. Hulston and R, H. Thompson ; starter, Mr W. G. Williams ; clerk of course, Mr J. H. Tompkins; timekeeper, Mr G-. Jones ; secretary, Mr F. D. Kesteven. Following are the results : — MAIDEN HANDICAP, one mile; first prize .£3, second £2— E. T. Scrimshaw, 50yds, 1; H. Smith, 40yds, 2; V. Ritchie, 50yds, 3. . D. J. Price and G. Lewis scr, G. G. Body 20yds, A. J. Marshall 40yds, R. Milliken 50yds, C. Crothers and R. Howie 60yds, W. Juriss 70yds, G. H. Wood 90yds, J. D. Fraser 100 yds and TV. E. Anderson 110 yds also started. Scrimshaw led during the last half, and though Smith came with a fine sprint in the straight, the leader maintained his advantage, and crossed the line a length, and a half, in front. Time— 2min 18 2-5 sec. . , DASH HANDICAP, one lap ; first prize £3, second £2, third 10s — First heat: J. Hanley, 35yds, 1; K. Rodger, 30yds, 2; W. Clarkson, 22yda, 3. M. Bennett syds, R. Hendry 17yds, C. Derrett 30yds, L. Porter and E. A. Archer 35yds and W. • Wilmott 40yds also started. "Won by a length. -Time— 4.s.l-5 soc. Second heat: W. . Robertson, 40yds, i;A. Jones, 15yds, 2; W. Stackwood, 20yds, 3. A. Ralston scr, J. Chalmers 15yds, J. Grant and G. H. Robinson 25yds, G. Porter 30yds and J. Doig 45yds also started. A splendid finish, inches separating first and second. Time — 45 3-5 sec. Third heat: A. C. Middleton, scr, 1; F. 'Caulton, 25yds, 0; H. Smith, 40yds, 3. B. J. Cook 17yds, H". Lyon 22yds. J. Stanton 25yds, C G. Jones 35yds and W. Juriss 45yds also started. Won by three lengths. Time — 46 2-5 sen. Fourth " heat : T. M'Naught, 40yds, 3 ; H. Ritchie, 30yds, 2: N. Ralston, 15yds, 3. G. Sutherland scr, J. W. Jones syds, A. W. Humphreys 17yds, A. Calder 20yds, H. Gunthorpc 32yds, J. Newby 35yds, W." H. Trengrove 40yds and J. D. Fraser 50yds also started. Won by a foot. Time— 47sec. Final heat : A. Jones, 15yds, 1;• T. M'Naught. 40yds, 2; W. Robertson, 40yds, 3. Middleton did not start. M'Na.ught ]oA into the straight, with the field bunched behind, and looked a certain winner." Jones, however, came brilliantly in the last twenty yards, and snatched the victory by a foot. ' Time — 45sec. AMATEUR HANDICAP, one mite; first prize valve £ 3. second £% third £ I—Tv.1 — Tv. Bassett, scr, 1; T. Oates, . 50yds, 2: A. Shelton. 90yds, 3. T. H. Thompson 20yds and H. Couzens 50yds also started. Won with ridiculous ease by thirty yards. Time — 2min 29 2-5 sec. NEW ZEALAND WHEEL RACE, two miles: first, four in each heat to-qualifv for final : first nrize £40, bpcothl £20, third £10, fourth £s— First heat: C. C. Derrett, 180 yds, 1; R. Hendry. 70yds, 2; A. Huston, 220 yds, 3: A. Jones. SOvds. 4. A. Ralston scr. W. Tierney 30yds. M. Bennett 40yds, D. J. Price 100 yds. A - Calder 1 10 yds, H. Caulton and R. Buchanan 120 yds,, J. Orr 140 yds, J. Stanton 160 yds. John Rapsnn and H. Ritchie 170 yds, W. Edge 200 yds, W. Robertson 210 yds. James Raps>on 220 yds and G. Henwood 240 yds also started. The limit riders set a very fast pace at the outset, and for several laps kept a substantial distance ahead of the back contingent. Two and a half , laps from home A. Jones dashed out, and when the bell' rang the field was together, with Derrett leading- Just past tie old Rtand Tierney and Bennett fell, compelling Ralston to ease up. Derrett increased, his pace, and, drawing -, away, won easily- by twenty yards,, the other placed riders finishing ■> in a bunch. , .Time-^miii 32 '3'-ssec. Sficond heat: H. c Holland, 180 yds, 1 ; E. A. Wall, 40yds, 2; A. C. Middleton" 20yds, 3; G. Sutherland, scr. 4. -G; A. Maxwell 60yds, N. Ralston. 70yds, J. Chalmers fiOyds, A. W. Humphreys 90yds, W. Stackwood 110 yds. J. Grant 130 yds, G. Body 140 yds. W. E. Ferris 150 yds, E. A. Archer 160 yds, H. Gunthorpe 170 yds, F. Syraons 190 yds, J. Hanley and D. Grant 200 yds and V. Ritchie and R. Geddes 23Cyds also started. This was a pretty race, as there were no scratching 3, and the large field quickly divided into two divisions. At the cud of a mile and a half all were bunched. Then Sutherland dashed out, and secured a handy position close to the leader. As. the bell rang Stsckwood sprinted, followed by Middleton and Sutherland. In the back stretch Holland came with a brilliant spurt, and quickly drew away, winning by five lengths, a few feet between the other placed men. Time— 4min 31 4-ssec. Third heat: A. Holmes, 100 yds, 1; A. R. Barker, scr, 2 ; D. J. Phmkett, 60yds, 3 ; R. J. Cook, 100 yds, 4. J. W. Jones 30yds, W. Hall 40yds, H. Lyon 110 yds, G. Lewis 130 yds, E. Wright 150 yds, J. Stone and W. Clarkson 160 yds, G. H. Robinson 170 yds, T. Orr 190 yds, J. Newby 200yd3, W. H. Trengrove 210 yds, H. Smith 220 yds, J. Doig 240 yds and J. D. Fraser 250 yds also started: In this heat it appeared likely . that the back mark men would ; pot catch . the field, as. W. Clarkson went out, . and, setting a fast pace, commenced to draw away from the other handicap men, who, consequently, increased their speed. Clarkson retained' his' lead for several laps. -and was'only caught two laps from home. - -A. "loaf. ".in front ensued, and wjien the bell .rang the rear contingent liatf \so\, vp V| Barker . being in a good position and Jones ciose up. Half way round Holmes dashed out, and won by a short length fiom Barker. Jones fell ' in the straight. Time — 4min 39 l-ssec. , . • ■ ■ : SPECTATORS' HANDICAP, half-mile; prize l.soy or trophy — E. Hammon, 30yds, 1; D. Rodger, 50yds, 2; C. Spring, scr, 3. Fifteen started. Time— lmin 7sec. . ""CYCLIST " CHALLENGE SHIELD RACE, two miles, presented by the proprietors of the "N.Z. Cyclist": first prize £6, second £3 third £I— G. Sutherland, 1 ; A. R. Barker, 2- A. Ralston, 3. T). J. Plunkett, jST. Ralston, AvC Middleton. M. Bennett, R. Hendry, W. Stackwood. and R. J. Cook also started. Stackwpod led f° r a lan and a half, when he was pass I*l1 * 1 *>y Nl Ralston, who set up a fast pace. As the b3U rang N. Ralston was in front, A. Ralston, Barker, Sutherland, Plunkett and Cook f ellowins; in the order named. Past the old stand the leader made room for his brother, 1 who spurted finely. Barker got to his wheel, but S-"th<vr!and *?as left n fnll length in thr> re3 .r. I" 'k- 'outliorn stretch Sutherland .ioined issue with the o*V">r pair, and a magnificent race in the straight, resulted in. his beating Barker by a wheel, Ralston a similar distance wft y third. Time— 4min 54 l-ssec. BOYS' HANDICAP, half-mile; first prize - £ l ( second 10s-rE. Major, 30yds, It, E. H&m- '

mon, scr, 2.. Nineteen started. Time— lmin 8,2-B. sec. •■,,,•! FLYING" STAKES HANDICAP, half-mile ; first prize £6, second £3, third £I— First heat : f K. Rodger, 40yds, 1; W. Clarkson, 40yds, 2; G. A. Maxwell, 20yds, 3. A. Calder and F. ' Cauiton 30yds, H. Holland 45yds and W. Robertson 50yds also started. Won by threequarters of a length. Time — lmin 1 3-5 sec. Second heat : A; R." Barker, scr, 1 ; H.. Ritchie, 40yds, 2; J. Orr, 35yds, 3.. M. Bennett 15yds, A. W. Humphreys 25yds, R. Buchanan 30yds, H. Gunthorpe 45yds, D. Grant and "W .Wilmott 50yds also started... Won by a foot. Time— lmin 4sec. Third heat: C. G. Jones, 50yds, 1 ; W. E. Ferris, 40yds, 2 ;. A. , Ralston, scr, 3. W. Tierney 10yds, N. Ralston 20yds, G. Lewis 30yds, E. A. Archer 40yds W. Smith and C. Willis 50yds and J. Doig 60yds also started. Won • by ". a . length ; half . a length* between second and third. Time— lmin 3 1-5 sec. Fourth heat : G, Sutherland, scr, 1 ; D. ,T. Plunkett, 20yds, 2; J. T. Stone, 40yds, 3. W. Hall 15yds, R. Hendry 25yds, H. Lyon 30yds, J. Grant 35yds, G. P.orter and G. Body 40yds, T. M'Naught' . and -H. Smith 50yds, W. B. Willis 60yds and D J. Fraser 70yds also started. .W; on comfortably by half a length. Time— lmiri ssec. Final heat: G. Sutherland, , :scr, 1 ; W. Clarkson, 40yds, 2 ; W. E. Ferris, 40yds, 3. Barker did not start. This race produced- an excellent • finish; W. Clarkson shot out at the south-west corner, arid leading int.Q the, straight, seemed % certain. winner; but ---Smth efcland,^, „-j^djngj brilliantly,., l-just-snatched the victory on the tape. Time — lmin 3 3-5 sec. MULTICYCLE HANDICAP, two miles; first prize £*■ second £% third £I—G.1 — G. Henwood, Lewis. Scrimshaw and J. S.Weam (quad), ; 250yds, 1; H. Ritchie' and V. Ritchie (tandem), 200 yds, 2; K. Rodger and A. Holmes (tandem),- 100 yds, 3. G. A. Maxwell and J. H. Chalmers (tandem) 70yds and W. Smith and W. Robertson . (tandem) 150 yds also started. Ritchie Brothers caught the quad when a lap had been covered. In the last lap a fine struggle ensued between the two tes,ms, the auad winning by a length; Rodger, and Holmes,' who . had ridden, a plucky race, . a few lengths away third. Time— 4min 12see. Ritchie Brothers entered a protest against the winners on the gr,ourid that, the personnel of the team had been changed since it wa3' entered. The protest was dismissed.