VALMARCH’S FINE WIN

Southland Times, Issue 23444, 26 February 1938, Page 10

VALMARCH’S FINE WIN

* Beam Returns To Form RODEUR AND MONA’S SONG UNLUCKY The track at Gore yesterday was very firm, and it is some time since such firm going has been raced on in Southland. There was very little grass on the course, it having been burnt up by the recent dry spell. In winning the Racing Club Handicap Galleon broke the track record of 2min 5 l-ssec by the fraction. The times put up in the remaining events were also of a good standard, with the exception of the sprint which was comparatively slow. WON EASILY Poniard was sent out a good win favourite for the Gore Highweight Handicap and he won nicely at the finish. Sir Admiral and Detrain were chopped back at the start and Coat of Arms and Pink Del led out from Last Post and Poniard. Running into the back, Coat of Arms and Pink Del drew clear of Poniard and Last Post, with a gap of four lengths to Double Shot and The Surgeon. At the half-mile post Coat of Arms and Pink Del were two lengths clear of Poniard, who moved up, and Last Post, with a gap back to Double Shot and The Surgeon. Pink Del shaded Coat of Arms at the far turn with Poniard handy and Last Post beaten off. The Surgeon also moved up at this point. Pink Del led Poniard into the straight from Coat of Arms and The Surgeon. In the run home Poniard soon had the measure of Pink Del and The Surgeon finished with a good run to get third money. Delrain was fourth and then came Last Post and Double Shot well back.

Poniard raced right up to his good recent form and did not look like being beaten at the finish. Last Post was well beaten with three furlongs to go while Coat of Arms and Pink Del stopped in the run home. NEVER HEADED Valmarch, a firm favourite on both machines, received all the best of the start in the Longford Handicap and he won as he liked at the finish. Spanish Lad, Combat, Nightwings, Aspire and Mona’s Song received all the worst of the start. Valmarch led out from Ballad, Western Song, Verdure, Gipsy Fair and Peony Rose. At the far turn Valmarch was two lengths clear of Western Song, Gipsy Fair, Ballad, Verdure, 'with a gap back to Aspire and Peony Rose. Running to the straight

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Valmarch was still two lengths clear of Western Song, a length ahead of Ballad, Gipsy Fair, Peony Rose and Aspire. Valmarch was three lengths clear of Western Song into the straight with Ballad at the head of a bunched field. Valmarch came on to win easily while both Peony Rose and Mona’s Song finished too well for Western Song. Ballad was fifth and he was followed by Nightwings and Aspire. The winner gave the others no chance. He was first out, and inclined to be moving in when the signal was given. Western Song did not finish on and Verdure and Gipsy Fair stopped badly. Mona’s Song and Peony Rose came from a long way back. Aspire moved up at the home turn but had little in reserve at the finish.

KEEN FINISH The Electric Trot was a poor betting race but it provided a good finish in which Glenelad won by a head from Kentucky Sun. Mulguy, Dawn Direct, Loyalist, June Tide and Drumbunnif lost their chances at the start. Provincial began very smartly and led out from Dora Lindsay, Sun Gauge, Glenelad, Loyalist and Kentucky Sun at intervals. Provincial led into the straight the first time by two lengths from Dora Lindsay with Glenelad two lengths further back. Passing the stands Glenelad joined Provincial in front from Dora Lindsay, Kentucky Sun, Loyalist and Drumbunnif, who was not pacing correctly. Glenelad and Provincial drew out three lengths clear into the back from Dora Lindsay, Sun Gauge and Kentucky Sun. With half a mile to go Provincial and Glenelad were three lengths clear of Sun Gauge and Kentucky Sun with Dora Lindsay two lengths further back. The others were, out of it. Glenelad shaded Provincial into the straight with Kentucky Sun and Sun Gauge handy and Dora Lindsay at the head of tire others. In a keen finish Glenelad soon had the measure of Provincial and he had enough in reserve to stave off a challenge from Kentucky Sun. Sun Gauge was right up third and then came Provincial, Drumbunnif, Dora Lindsay and Catawrack. Glenelad’s success was well merited as he made Provincial do the work all the way. He hung on well in a close finish. Kentucky Sun went his best race for some time and finished better than anything. Provincial tired in the run home, but Sun Gauge had every chance. A SHORT PRICE Galleon was backed down to a very short price in the Racing Club Handicap, and although he won he had nothing to spare from Pink Robe, who made all the pace. Pink Robe was chopped back at the start and after a furlong Daring Deed was showing the way to Pink Robe, Galleon and Island Linnet. With a mile to go Pink Robe joined Daring Deed in the front, with a gap of two lengths to Galleon, Grand Finale and Island Linnet. Running to the back Pink Robe was three lengths clear of Daring Deed, Grand Finale two lengths further back and another length to Galleon with Island Linnet at the rear. Pink Robe drew out five lengths clear down the back and at the half mile post she was four lengths clear of Grand Finale and Galleon moving up. The field closed on the leader at the far turn where Pink Robe shaded Galleon by half a length, and Island Linnet and Grand Finale right up. Daring Deed was beaten off at this stage. Pink Robe shaded Galleon into the straight with by half a length, and Island Linnet and Grand Finale. Pink Robe hung on well in the run home and Galleon had to be hard ridden to beat her by a head. Island Linnet was two lengths away third and Daring Deed and Grand Finale six lengths further back. Galleon had to put up a track record of 2min ssec, time which has only once previously be beaten in Southland.

Although Pink Robe hung on well Galleon finished very generously. Daring Deed was beaten a long way from home but Island Linnet looked a possibility at the top of the straight. FOXLOVE’S FIRST Guste, Dolita and Ardmayle were slow away in the Novice Handicap in which Free Service was actually the first to show out from Astaire and Silver Choir. At the far turn Silver Choir had taken charge from Foxlove, Astaire, Guste, Signorina and Gay Vixen. Silver Choir was a length clear running to the straight from Foxlove, Astaire, Gay Vixen and Signorina. Silver Choir just shaded Foxlove into the straight and Astaire headed the others. Foxlove soon headed Silver Choir m the run home and he came on to win well by two lengths. Astaire finished on well to be second ahead of Gay Vixen. Wyn was fourth and then came Silver Choir and Ardmayle. Foxlove won well at the finish and raced right up to his two good performances at Winton. Silver Choir stopped in the run home, but there is an excuse for him as this was his first race for some time. Ardmayle was always well back. OUTSIDER SCORES The public was unable to find a favourite for the Croydon Handicap and Janet Gaynor and Rodeur were evenly backed on the win machine; Rodeur was the favourite for a place. Moneyless and Beam were slow to jump out and Irish Birdcatcher was the first to break the line from Rodeur and Janet Gaynor. After a furlong Irish Birdcatcher, Rodeur, Janet Gaynor and Viking were almost abreast two lengths clear of Beam and Moneyless. At the half mile post Viking shaded Janet Gaynor, Irish Birdcatcher, and Rodeur who was knocked back. Viking was clear of Irish Birdcatcher, and Rodeur at the far turn where Janet Gaynor dropped back and Beam made a move on the outer. Viking was followed by Beam at the home turn and into the straight Viking led Irish Birdcatcher, Beam, Rodeur and Janet Gaynor. Viking stopped in the run home and Beam shot to the front but was hotly challenged by Rodeur. Beam hung on long enough to beat Rodeur a nose, with Viking third and Irish Birdcatcher close up fourth. Janet Gaynor finished last. Rodeur appeared unlucky as she was badly placed at the top of the straight. Beam went her best race for some time and she paid the best dividend of the day, almost a score. Viking did not stay on and Janet Gaynor would not respond to the vigorous riding of her apprentice. J. WALSH AGAIN Crown Peak, Salalon, Dolores Silk and King Drusus broke up at the start of the Progressive Handicap. Grattanella was the first to show out from Edith Grattan, Sydney Grand and Bonny Brydone. Running to the straight the first time Edith Grattan had charge from Grattanella, Sydney Grand, Bonny Brydone and Capri. With a mile to go Grattanella and Edith Grattan were on terms from Sydney Grand, Bonny Brydone, Capri, Happy Locanda and Capricorn. Running down the back Edith Grattan was a length clear of Grattanella, with Sydney Grand three lengths further back two lengths ahead of Bonny Brydone. Grattanella headed Edith Grattan with half a mile to go and Sydney Grand and Bonny Brydone were handy while Happy Locanda moved up. Grattanella was first into the straight from Sydney Grand, Edith Grattan, who was beaten off, and Bonny Brydone. Grattanella was challenged by Sydney Grand in the run home but the leader had something in hand. Bonnie Brydone, who finished third, was all over the course in the straight, and then came Edith Grattan (fourth), Capricorn, Gay Avon and Capri. Grattanella won nicely at the finish but he had the run of the race. Edith Grattan had every chance but was not good enough. Sydney Grand finished particularly well as did Bonny Brydone who would have been closer than third had he been given a clear run over the last 100 yards. ALWAYS A WINNER Although Roy Bun was sent out a better favourite than Sailing Lady for the Summer Handicap, which drew a four-horse field, Sailing Lady made no race of it and paid a surprisingly good price. Lochie River was chopped back at the start and Coxcomb led out from Roy Bun and Sailing Lady. Into the back Coxcomb and Sailing Lady were two lengths clear of Roy Bun with a length back to Lochie River. Lochie River moved up down the back and at the half mile Sailing Lady had charge from Roy Bun who shaded Lochie River. Sailing Lady drew out two lengths clear of Roy Bun running to the straight with Lochie River shading Coxcomb. Sailing Lady came on to win as she liked by four lengths while Coxcomb beat Roy Bun in the run home. Lochie River tailed off.

Sailing Lady’s success was the most decisive of the day and she did not look like being beaten at the finish. Coxcomb went the best race of his career but Roy Bun was well beaten.

NOVICES RACED AT GORE MAIDEN GALLOPERS OF PROMISE (By SIR MODRED) Although there were more important events at the Gore meeting yesterday when judged from a monetary or class point of view the Novice Handicap race created much interest and several of the runners are likely to be heard from later. Looking at the contest from this standpoint and in view of engagements of the future it is interesting to discover a few particulars of some of the starters classed under the conditions as “not having won a race at a totalizator meeting.” Victory rested with the four-year-old gelding, Foxlove, by Gallant Fox (son of Hunting Song) from Cupid’s Dart, a novice who has made marked improvement since he passed into the hands of F. W. Ellis to be prepared for Messrs Cundall and P. A. Price. It is claimed that the winner’s sire, Gallant Fox, left only four progeny before being added to the list, and two of those ran at Gore and were placed first and third respectively, both shaping in very promising fashion as racehorses. Foxlove ran on with great determination.

The runner-up was the four-year-old gelding, Astaire, by Valkyrian (imp.) from Dancing Days, by Markhope (imp.) from Princess Mosca, by Stepniak from Mosca, by St. Clair (Musket tribe) from Indolence, by Grand Flaneur (a horse noted for stoutness in Australia). Astaire, trained by A. S. McKay, at Wingatui, is a bucket-reared gelding of good size and a useful-looking horse. There is no doubt that he has galloping ability. The four-year-old mare, Gay Vixen, who came up fast in the stretch, was the second of the progeny of Gallant Fox placed by the judge. It will be appreciated that she is well-bred as her dam was All Style (dam of Dressy, Look Smart and Palatinate), by Gay Lad (imp.) from Arch Lassie, by Marble Arch (imp., and by Isinglass from a Ladas mare) from Lassie Doon, by Monoform (by Hotchkiss, son of Musket) from Cardoon, by Cardigan (a New South Wales winner) from Monsoon, by St. Clair (Musket) from Mistral, by Gorton from Lady Gertrude, by Cadogan (imp.) from No Name, by Traducer (imp.). Racing for her breeder-owner and trained by. J. A.

White, of Wingatui, Gay Vixen has good prospects. The six-year-old mare Wyn narrowly gained fourth honours from Silver Choir. F. Shaw’s pupil; Wyn, is by Paladin (imp.) from Canal, by Kilbroney (imp.) from Panama, by Vasco (imp.) from Elysium, by Stepniak from Faraway, by Bill of Portland (imp., and son of St. Simon) from Happy Land, by Musket from Atlantis (imp.). On her blood lines Wyn should yet repay racing expenses. The handsome Australian-bred entire, Silver Choir, who ranks as a four-year-old, hit out well over the early stages of the race and, with his stable mate, Foxlove, showed the way into the straight, but compounded just inside the distance, his condition having possibly run out. He is a good-looking horse and moves with good action. Bred by Mr P. Miller, of New South Wales, Silver Choir is by Silvius (imp., and by Silvern from a mare by Spearmint, son of Carbine) from Seraphyna, by Linacre (imp.) from Serinette, by Grafton (imp., by Galopin, sire of St. Simon). His sire, Silvius, was a good racehorse in England and Australia, where his progeny are well known as successful performers.