LEFT IN FRONT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 150, 15 September 1927, Page 6

LEFT IN FRONT

COMMENDATION’S TASK WHEN VALICARE PUNCTURED The following article was written by a Sydney scribe before Commendation met with his second defeat in Sydney last Saturday, but nevertheless provides food for thought. Admirers of Commendation are not discouraged by his defeat into third place in the Warwick Stakes on Saturday week last. That he rrin Limerick and Amounis so close under difficulties is rgarded as a good augury for his future racing in Australia, and among those who think lie will do better next time is Hughie Cairns, his jockey. He doesn’t make excuses for Commendation. BLAMED VALICARE But he considers that he was a trifle unlucky that Valicare petered out so quickly in the lead. His experience had shown him that Valicare usually lasted longer than she did. So whon he found Commendation conceding four lengths approaching the half-mile he decided to get a little closer so that if the mare could stay the journey she wouldn’t steed the race of Commendation. Just as he had decreased the lead to two lengths, Valicare suddenly “punctured.” Without any effort Commendation had caught her and Cairns found himself left in front a furlong and a-half sooner than he had anticipated. IN THE AIR It pul him in a dilemma. The best he could do was nurse his mount as long as he could for a final “kick” against his rivals that he knew were approaching him. How well he did this was shown by his being beaten only two heads after Amounis had actually headed him as soon as they entered the straight. Trainer George Jones was well satisfied with Commendation’s form even in defeat. Commendation will remain in Sydney ur til after he has run in the Craven Plate on the third day of the spring meeting at Randwick. Ho will then go to Melbourne for the Caulfield. Cup, ten days later.