WHAT IS HIS MISSION?

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 55, 27 May 1927, Page 12

WHAT IS HIS MISSION?

CHAMPION TO VISIT AUSTRALIA COMMENDATION AND MELBOURNE CUP

WHEN Commendation first raced as a two-year-old he created quite an impression with all followers of racing, and since that time his name has been well spoken, both here in the land of his birth, and Australia, too.

To the average racegoer he is considered New Zealand’s greatest three-year-old, but if he is as good as is made out —and there is little uoubt about it—why do not the connections of the champion Limond gelding tackle something higher than the small prize-money offered in the Dominion?

Perhaps his owner has a programme mapped out for his wonder horse, and probably it includes a trip to Australia.

Commendation figured among the nominations for the A.J.C. Derby, run at Randwick last spring, and many keen judges were of opinion that he would be Rampion’s most formidable opponent in the rich classic race. However, Mr W. H. Gaisford decided to stop at home and pick up all the three-year-old classics without opposition, while Limerick tripped off to Australia in quest of high honours. Limerick took on Windbag, Amounis, Valicare, and Rampion, and even started in the Melbourne Cup. But what was the result?

Outside a victory in the first race he started in, and the defeat of Windhag in the Chelmsford Stakes, he was beaten in each of his other starts, and though Sydney critics considered him unbeatable in the A.J.C. Derby he had to strike his colours to the champion Rossendale colt, Rampion. All this time Commendation was winning his races in very easy fashion, and among his successes were the Avondale Guineas, Hawke’s Bay Guineas, Great Northern Guineas, and the New Zealand Derby. He was never fully extended in any of those races with the exception of the Avondale Guineas, in wdiich Lysander managed to make a chtad heat. Unlucky to Lose. Commendation has suffered only one defeat this season, and it was Rapine who brought about the champion’s downfall. The race was the G. G. Stead Memorial Cup, run over a mile and aquarter at weight-for-age, at ‘lie C.J.C.’s Metropolitan meeting in November last. It will be agreed on all sides by those who witnessed the race that Commendation was a cerlamty beaten. He was all over the track. and though the three-ycar-old was disappointed on two or three occasions he finished in a very determined manner, and in another few strides would have been returned the winner instead of acting as runner-up. The race was very unsatisfactory, and were it re-run Commendation wouW again be a hot favourite. Superior to Limerick.

Limerick’s connections were keen on starting him in the Great Northern Derby, but there was a recurrence of the leg trouble that affected him in Sydney and Melbourne, and consequent-

lv he was thrown out of work and was given a good spell.

Had Limerick started in the classic race at Ellerslie, and been at the top of his form, it is unlikely he would have beaten Commendation over the mile and a-half course.

After witness'ng the racing of Limerick in Australia the writer is of the opinion that Commendation is a better horse than his three-year-old rival. As a youngster Commendation was wayward at the barrier, and. had it not been for this may have been taken to Randwick to contest the A.J.C. Derby’, and would probably have beaten Ranipion. “Beragoon” witnessed the wonderful performance of Rampion in the Chamnagne Stakes, and notwithstanding his unusual brilliancy’, considers Commendation the premier three-year-old of Australasia, with the New South Wales colt next best. Owner Refuses £IO,OOO.

Racing authorities who are well up in the game are fully aware that Commendation is the best horse seen in a decade, and knowing his galloping capabilities are at a loss to understand why his party has not yet visited Australia.

Racegoers were again baffled when an Australian—whose name was not disclosed at the time—offered £IO,OOO for the gelding, a price which constituted a record in the annals of New Zealand Turf history’. Mr Gaisford turned down the offer, and gave out that his horse was not for sale at any price. The value placed upon Commendation’s future career was indicated by his owner’s prompt refusal. He didn’t hesitate a moment. Is the Melbourne Cup His Mission?

Commendation smashed an Australasian record for a mile and threequarters when he defeated Hynanna in the New Zealand St. Leger, and he also lowered the race record for the Great Northern St. Leger at Ellerslie, and easily outclassed his opponents. Four furlongs from home he streaked away from his field and won pulling up by 12 lengths. He has fulfilled each of his three-year-old classic engagements, and it is stated he will be prepared for an Australian campaign in the spring. The son of Limond will he a four-vear-old in August, and it is possible Mr Gaisford has his eye on the richlyendowed Melbourne Cup, worth £IO,OOO. If Commendation takes on the Australian champion performers he will make Turf history, but as victories over the cream of Australia’s horses would result in him carrying a big load in the Melbourne Cup it is not likely that his owner will run him in the handicap events, but will be content to allow him contest the rich weight-for-age races.

When Commendation makes the trip to Australia he will uphold the prestige of New Zealand’s greatest horses, and it will not be surprising to see his name entered up as the wdnner of this year’s Melbourne Cup. BERAGOON.