TAKANINI HORSES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 45, 22 February 1934, Page 18

TAKANINI HORSES.

TE AROHA CANDIDATES. GAY SHEILA'S PROSPECTS. Gay Blonde has been going attractively in her work since winning at Takapuna and is undoubtedly as well now as ever before. This filly is set a task from a weight-carrying point of view, as she has the steadier of 10.0—a big impost for a two-year-old. However, her ability to handle big weights has been proved, as she won with only 41b less over six furlongs at Takapuna. . In Saturday's event the distance is a furlong shorter, and this should help considerably, and she should prove a force to be reckoned with, despite her big impost. Gay Sheila's reappearance will create a lot Qf interest, as she will be having a race after art absence of owr seven weeks. This filly is brilliant, and' races well fresh, and it would occasion no surprise to find her racing prominently in the Waihou Handicap. She seems to have fully recovered from her ' recent injury, and providing there is no recurrence she should be capable of winning good races from now on. Gay Sheila was responsible for a good halfmile recently, and she must be taken into consideration when reviewing the field for Saturday's sprint event. Struck a Tendon. The Hiker, has recently been causing his mentor some concern owing to having struck a tendon prior to the Matamata meeting, but it is hoped that he will be able to compete in the Ruakaka Hurdles j on' Saturday. He is a brilliant jumper, and despite the fact that he will be meeting the best ■ field to which he has beeu opposed may' be capable of a good effort. Speedmint has not raced since the Bay of Islands iiieeting, but in appearance seems little the worse. She is not without prospects in the Cup, but will need to be at her best to win. Thespis ran second to Wliakapara in the Kawakawa' Cup, but on that occasion the class was much below that which is carded for Saturday's Cup. Thespis is a very useful horse, who may run well, but he has yet to prove himself in select company. Bellkyrian has any amount of speed and is expected to be better suited by the right-handed track at Te Aroha. In the Waitoa Handicap on Saturday this fitly should be hard to beat, and she has only to race up to expectations to be right in the fight at the finish. Exaggeration raced very disappointingly at Takapuna and she will need to make a big improvement on that form to win. She seems in fairly good condition, however, and although she may be racing a little below expectations may be capable of showing some improvement. It is only a question of her producing last season's form and she would command respect m any sprint event for which she is saddled up. If Gold Pocket and Expectancy both run in the Shaftesbury Handicap they will be a bracket that should command a following. _ Both these hacks possess the capabilities and both have prospects. Gold Pocket disappointed at Takapuna after winning at Pukekohe, while Expectancy ran third in her last start at the latter fixture. Expectancy seems to have goue on the right way since then and should be in the fight at the finish. Tondaleyo's Successes. Tondaleyo's two successes at Dargaville provided her owner, Mr. Roy Burrett, and trainer W. Woods, with a welcome change of luck. It was therefore pleasing that the stable produced a winner, and the victories were popularly received, and Woods deserves credit for the fine order in which Tondaleyo was produced for her engagements.

Clierry King revealed no dash in his races at Dargaville and undoubtedly has lost form. This gelding has started on nineteen occasions for only one win, but he has been unlucky that his record has not been a much better one. When at his best Cherry King is capable of much better form than has recently been shown, and when freshened up should do much better. Diversion created a surprise on Saturday by winning the chief event at Dargaville after competing in the previous event. This mare raced more kindly at her second attempt after a very moderate effort in the Omana Hack. She is to be given a course of schooling with a view to contesting hurdle eiventa, and as she has previously shown ability to jump well she may develop into a very useful hurdler. The seven successes of Takanini horses at Dargaville and King March's victory at Christchurch brings the total of winners for the district this season to thirty-eight. The winning trainers are: IS. Pope 11, A. Rhodes 7, l'\ Smith and J. Gray 4 cacli, C. Morse find L. Manson 3 each, W. C. Woods 2, and W. Patterson 1. Ballymoney looks improved since racing last and should strip a fit gelding the next time he is produced. The Diacqueuod gelding shaped very well at Matamata and should take a lot of beating in any maiden event in the near future. He is engaged in the Bombay Handicap and Tuak.au Stakes at Pukekohe and will be well supported in whichever event is selected for .him. Sir Val is looking very well and has been executing some serviceable work. It is ,-probable that he will be given a race in the Bombay Handicap at Pukekohe, where he will sport silk in the interests of a newcomer to the sport in Mr. E. Hobbs, a client of E. Pope's stable. W. Jarvis is sending Lifeguard along in his work with a view to racing him at the Pukekohe meeting. This colt' has shown plenty of speed and is a well-bred youngster who should do good service for this mentor as the season advances. As the class of juveniles in.the Auckland district is weaker than for many years Lifeguard may prove an acquisition to these ranks.