TAKANINI TOPICS.

Auckland Star, 2 September 1933, Page 16

TAKANINI TOPICS.

SPEEDMINT'S PROGRESS. ENTERED FOR NEW ZEALAND CUP. CATCH'EM BEING SCITOOLED. Imperial Prince has been off the scene for a fow weeks, during which time his near foreleg was blistered. The. Lucullus gelding met with a mishap in the Brighton Hurdles at the last Easter meeting, since when ho has not faced the starter. At his lest Imperial Princo is a very useful gelding, and his winning record would probably Lave beeu much better but for the fact that an operation for respiratory trouble jmd recent mishaps interrupted his preparations. Alignment looks very well after his recent outing and. will probably not bo seen out again until the Avondale spring meeting. This colt ran a fine race in the Sylvia Park Handicap, in which event he was the pacemaker for the greater part of the journey, and as this was his first outing for eight months an improvement is expected, l>olll now on Alignment's progress will bo watched with interest. ' • Spccdmint looks none the worse for her race at Ellerslie and will be kept going with a view to the approaching Marton and Wanganui meetings. She is among the nominations for the Xew Zealand Cup, and if she races up to expectations in her next few starts a trip to Riccarton would be quite on the cards. W. H. Patterson's two-year-old filly High Crest has unfortunately injured a stifle. This filly was'very forward up to the time of the mishap and shaped like an early two-year-old, so that the interruption in her preparation has come at an inopportune time. Her enforced respite may extend over several weeks. Probably the first Takanini youngster •who will sport silk this season is the Gay Shield—Lady Maire filly in E. Pope's stable. She is engaged at the Marton and Wanganui meetings and should acquit herself very well, as she is excellently mannered, is possessed of plenty of speed, while on Monday last she shaped in great style in barrier practice with Gallant Knight, who did excellently. This filly as a full-sister to Gay Sheila, who showed early form last season. Got Into a Fence.

A. week ago Holly Lu became entangled with a fence while running in the paddock and inflicted a wound in his off hind leg. Holly Lu had just started a preparation, and as a result of the accident was forced to rest for a few days. He has, however, made a reappearance on the track with the injured limb bandaged, and although the interruption may mean the loss of a couple of weeks' work it may not seriously affect his preparation for spring engagements. Expectancy, Gold Pocket and Nicodemus are three of F. Smith's team going along satisfactorily in their work, and they all bear bright appearances. Gold Pocket was a useful two-year-old and an improvement is expected this term. High Tea has resumed active work after an absence of a week, caused through the Tea Tray colt becoming cast in his box. He has made a good recovery and his progress will be watched with interest. He has already created a very favourable impression, and it would not be surprising to find him a good winner in the late spring. Full Measure is swinging along in his work with plenty of dash, and despite the fact that he has not been up a great while gives every indication that he mil not be long in coming to hand. Full Measure was thrown out of work a couple of months ago owing to soreness, of which no signs have yet been noticed during his present preparation. Catch'em is being schooled in the afternoons and is making satisfactory progress in this department. The Catmint gelding has previously been troubled with unsoundness and it is to be hop.ed that he stands up to this preparation, as he has plenty of speed, and has only to take to the" jumping game to prove a success and incfc dentally provide the 6table with a welcome change of luck. Tondaleyo looks very well after a short period of idleness and will be a prospect in maiden company at the spring meetings. She has plenty of speed and will have plenty of opportunities. to be seen to advantage in the near future. She is a full-sister to Catch'em, being by Catmint — Miss Melva. . A Bright Appearance. Rereatu still bears a robust appearance. He was one of the last of last season's two-year-olds to make a reappearance this season, and is not expected to be ready for early spring racing. At his best Kereatu should develop excellent form over sprint distances.

Gastronomy -will next sport silk in the liigh-weiglil handicaps at the Avondale spring meeting and in the interim will be kept going with a view to those engagements. The Lu'cullus gelding is an ideal typo for this kind of race and his winning record should be increased during the Spring.

Arch Ruler and Sir Wdllonyx are not receiving nmch strenuous work, but they •will be sharpened up shortly in preparation for the Avondale meeting. In their respective classes this pair will have good prospects when in thorough racing trim.

Other candidates for the spring meetings doing well are Exaggeration, who has only to be at her best to take out some good Sprint events, Tatyoon, whose form will show improvement with firmer tracks, Greek Gold, who looks little the worse for his recent outings, Cherry King and Tavern Knight, who are to fulfil engagements at "the Marton spring meeting, and the juveniles, comprising Gallant Knight, Haupere, Paper Money colt, Whirlwind filly and Nun • Nicer, who are all showing improvement. In all, the two-year-olds here are creating an excellent impression and are expected to prove equally as formidable as "was the case with locally-trained youngsters last season.