JANET GAYNOR’S FORM

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

JANET GAYNOR’S FORM

refused to race up TO HER BEST COAT OF ARMS BREAKS DOWN Viking has evidently had enough of the racing game for the time being. The way he stopped in the run home at Gore yesterday was not his true form as he always races best in front. Punters Puzzled

Janet Gaynor has the punters puzzled. She was backed in the right quarter to win yesterday but finished last. If started today it is quite possible that she will get to the front and not be headed. The stipendiary steward explained that he was quite satisfied with the handling of her yesterday. A mare of her moods is apt to cause trouble at times. A Certainty

Sailing Lady was described in yesterday’s issue as a certainty for the Summer Handicap at Gore and the decisive manner in which she won confirmed this opinion. The only surprising part of her success was the good dividend that she returned. Not Sighted

It was expected that the small field in the Racing Club Handicap at Gore yesterday would have suited Daring Deed. She went to the front in the early stages but she was challenged for the lead and was badly beaten half a mile from home. This was not the same form that she showed at the Dunedin meeting.

Best for Some Time Island Linnet has not done a great deal of racing for some time but her performance at Gore yesterday in finishing third in the Racing Club Handicap pointed to her returning to her best form. At the distance yesterday she looked like playing an important part in the finish but the earlier effort was too much for her.

Won On His Merits Galleon was not the certainty that the betting on the Racing Club Handicap suggested as not only did he have to put up a track record to win but he had only a head to spare from Pink Robe. As usual Galleon was not well placed in the early stages, but the small field suited him and he finished very generously. Pink Robe was unlucky striking Galleon in form as she made all the pace and although she appeared beaten at the distance came on again at the finish. As in the Dunedin Cup she was again chiefly responsible for a fresh track record.

Back To Form A couple of seasons ago Beam was one of the best sprinters in the province and it was not until yesterday at Gore that she showed anything like her best form. She was one of the last to jump out, but handily placed at the top of the straight, she finished on well to beat Rodeur by a nose. At the same time the winner’s time of Imin 14sec was bettered by the hacks over the same distance. Broke Down Coat of Arms went a sound race for seven furlongs at Gore yesterday but stopped badly in the run home. He was very lame when he returned to the birdcage and it was evident that he will not race again for some time. Stopped Badly On his recent form Last Post was entitled to support in the highweight handicap but he was one of the first beaten and retired three furlongs from home. The hard going appeared to find him out. Janet Gaynor Again Janet Gaynor’s form has been much discussed of late and again at Gore yesterday her showing was one of the most discussed features of the sprint race. She was one of the win favourites but when she was unable to get the lead she was badly beaten and was actually last to finish. She was ridden by an apprentice who rode her vigorously over the last two furlongs but she refused to budge. Improving Double Shot had not raced for some time until produced yesterday and although he has always shown his best, under heavy conditions he raced well enough to suggest that he will show up before long. Badly Away Certainly the best performance put up in the Longford Handicap was that of Mona’s Song who was one of the last away and then finished on better than anything else to be third. Mona’s Song has raced very consistently in recent starts and in the light of yesterday’s good effort she may be returned a winner before the meeting is over. The winner Valmarch registered lmin 13 2-ssec and this further added to the merit of Mona’s Song’s effort. Mona’s Song was closer to the winner at the finish than at any other stage and she gives tire impression that she will win over further than six furlongs.

Class Prevails When Valmarch carried 9.6 to win the Longford Handicap in lmin 13 2-ssec it was a matter of a class horse prevailing. He never looked like being beaten and the half-brother to Gold Boa and Dismiss won like a champion. The Valkyrian four-year-old is a fine stamp of a galloper and should win again. Will Do Better Spanish Lad, Combat and Aspire were among those who lost any chance they had at the start of the Longford Handicap and with a good despatch today all are capable of making a race or it. Aspire put in a run across the top as also did Spanish Lad but neither were able to carry on.