ON THE WHEEL

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume X, Issue 508, 19 April 1900, Page 5

ON THE WHEEL

I BT

Cyolos.

The Three Mile Paced Tournament held recently on the Sydney Cricket Ground proved a very successful event. Some very interesting racing was witnesed. The Dunlop motor tandems which were used for pacing, worked without a hitch, and oupplied all the speed the racing cracks were able to keep up with. W. C. Jackson won the first of the semi-finals, beating G. JPMorgan in smin 21 2-ssecs. In the second semi-final Walne fell leaving McDonald to finish alone in smin 3? 2-5 secs. The final between Jackson and McDonald excited the greatest enthusiasm amongst the big crowd present, as from the starting pistol both riders set their motors going at a terrific bat, Jackson with the inside running endeavouring to keep the lead, whilst McDonald rode his hardest to obtain it. The pace was terrific as the second mile was entered upon, and it was evident|that Jackson was trying to “ shake off” his opponent, but McDonald hung to him. The second mile was covered in the exceptionally fast time of I min 40 2-ssecs. Entering the third and last mile, Jackson called for more pace, his motor responding with a lap (nearly one third of a mile ) in 28 2 ssecs., which had the desired effect of cracking up McDonald who from this out was beaten, Jackson winning by a quarter of a lap in the Australian record time of smin 12 4 ssecs. Richaidson, the Australian overlander, had his left arm broken through a dog snapping at his horse’s legs, while being exercisedin mounted drill with the West Australian Bushmen’s Contingent. The horse sweved suddenly, and dislodged Richardson from his saddle. Fhe test match between J. Chalmers and Geo. Sutherland to decide who should ride against E. Reynolds for the purpose of proving who should have the honour of representing the colony at World’s Championship meeting to be held in Paris, took place in Christchurch on Tuesday of last week, and resulted in a win for Geo Suthertand, in both the One and Twenty Five Mile tests. Chalmers went to the front in the mile, about 320 yards from home, but was beaten after a

magnificent battle up the straight, by three quarters of a length. In the Twenty Five Mile, Chalmers punctured his tyre and a halt was made. On starting again Sutherland drew away from his oponent and in the 17th mile had a gap of nearly a length between himself and Chalmers. At this stage Chalmers retired leaving Sutherland to finish alone. About 5000 people attended the test race meeting held in Lancaster Park on Good Friday, to decide who will represent the colony at the World’s championships at Paris. The contestants were E. Reynolds (Auckland) and Sutherland (Christchurch) In the mile race the competitors rode slowly till the last quarter of a mile. Sutherland was in the lead till 200yds from home, when Reynolds challenged, and, drawing level, a desperate race ensued, Sutherland gaining the verdict by less than a foot. The 25-mile was decided behind single-pacer, . Reynolds agreeing to this form of pacing under protest. When 15 laps had been covered Reynolds appeared to have the better of the race. De then touched the pacer s wheel and fell- 1 The race was restarted at the stage where the accident occured. Sutherland jumped away, and getting a break before Reynold’s pacer picked him up, was able to increase his lead to 100yds. After this he was never in danger, and having better pacing than Reynolds, and following splendidly, had three-quarters of a lap advantage at twenty-three miles. At this stage Reynolds retired. Chalmers won the one-mile handicap, Draffin the two-mile wheel race, and W. Reynolds (Auckland) the half - mile amateur. The meeting was conducted by the Christchurch Cycling Club. The Druid’s sports carnival held in Wellington proved a great success, a very large crowd journed to the sports ground. Large fields were the order of the day especially in the pedestrian events. Plunkett proved the hero of the day winning the Half, Five, and One Mile Bicycle Handicaps. The Druids’ Wheel Race ( two miles ) was won by Burton, from the 120 yards mark. The first class Mile proved an easy win for Randrup. Clarkson proved the winner of the Two Mile. ( second class) Handicap. The three Mile ( second class) Handicap fell to Clark. Reynolds, Tierney, and Chalmers competed at the Wellington Druids Sports on Easter Monday, but all failed to catch the judge’s eye. Tne new track constructed at the Adelaide Oval is, according to all accounts, a scorcher. It is 615yds round, with a straight of 90yds, and is 24ft in width at its narrowest point and 26ft in the straight. It is banked at the turns to 6ft 9in. Walne is credited with having ridden half a mile in 53 3-ssec, which is a world’s competition record. The National Cycling Association of America, which has killed the local League of Wheelmen, reports that nearly a hundred tracks and clubs recognised its jurisdiction last year. There were registered 1400 amateurs and 167 professionals, and permits were issued for 314 meetings, at which the cash prizes aggregated nearly £12,000, and trophies were awarded to amateurs valued at £4,200. Wheeling, of February 21, says that Hales is now experiencing the worst of his 100 miles a day lide. He was then in Cornwall, and the w T eather was as bad as over the rest of the country, snow, sleet, and rain accompanying him all day. On one day it ‘took him eight hours to do the last 35 miles of his daily portion, aud he was having some of the hardest work of his attempt. There is no doubt (says the Sydney Referee} that W. C. Jockson, of Victoria, is at present the best man in Australasia, and he has put up a remarkable record lately at all distances in handicaps and scratch races, paced and unpaced. Early in his career he was nicknamed “Newhaven,” after the Victorian champion colt, because of his great speed, but he has in his line done much greatei- deeds than the racehorse. His latest victory

was the Five-mile Championship of Australasia, at Adelaide the other Saturday, and on the same day he was only just beaten in the final of the Wheel Race by his namesake, L. M , another good rider. In Sydney recently W. 0. Jackson was debarred from taking part in the Tenmile Championship of Australasia owing to an accident, and his rival, Walne, won. Despite Jackson’s great deeds and present superiority, we hesitate to say, both fit and well, that he is better than Walne. The Queenslander is not himself, evidently, and having had a very hard campaign for several seasons, is in need of a long rest. The fact of his sticking so close tc the racing business as he does, while it gained him many victories for the time being, has caused him to be run right out. Jackson, on the other hand, has not a particularly rigid method of training. S. Draffln succeeded in winning the Wheel Face at the Lancaster Park meeting on Saturday last. He rode a RudgeWhitworth machine, and scored an easy victory. Details of the Christchurch Meeting, held at Lancaster Park on Saturday, are unavoidably held over for want of space in this issue