TAKANINI HORSES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 68, 21 March 1934, Page 13

TAKANINI HORSES.

GREEK GOLD'S PROGRESS. GAY BLONDE DOING WELL CANDIDATES FOR TAURANGA. Greek Gold is still a member o£ I\ Smith's team liere and is to continue £ preparation under his guidance. Greet Gold was purchased by Mr. W. Hosking for 62gs, and although obviously affected in the wind his days of usefulness should by no means be yet finished, as he proved quite capable of winning races in the same condition in which he is at present, and while an operation for his ailment maj eventually become necessary he should prove a cheap horse for his new owner, Greek Gold has been in work only a montl after having enjoyed a good spell, and he has freshened up a great deal since then Ballymoney scored his first success in the maiden event at Paeroa, and while he impressed with his display of speed in that event it was seen on the second day i;hat seven furlongs was beyond his powers at the moment. Sprinting appears to be his forte and he should prove useful ir hack sprint events at forthcoming meetings. His victory on Thursday gave his trainer, J. Cruse, his first winner, and it was accordingly well received. Expectancy showed plenty of speed ic her only outing at Paeroa and eventually finished fourth. Expectancy, who should be capable of winning hack races, and Greek Gold are the only members of E Smith's team at present. To-morrow morning a quartet of Takanini horses" will leave to fulfil engagements at the Tauranga meeting on Saturday and Monday. C. Morse is taking Arch Ruler, who will be ridden in his engagements by J. Forsyth, the stable apprentice. W. C Woods is to take Tondaleyo for the hack events, while E. Pope will be represented by Sir Val and Diversion. The former will be piloted in the maiden event by T Green, and he looks to have fairly good prospects, while Diversion, who has beer giving a good account of herself in school ing bouts, is to tackle the hurdle events in which she will be ridden by G. Walters King March appears to have taken nc ill effects' from his recent racing and is working along in his usual style. He has been a hardy customer, who has thrived or racing and travelling and has been acquit ting himself with more credit during th( last few months than has been the case for a long period. It has been mootec that he may be s<yit to Sydney, but wbe ther his connections decide on this or not he will be a starter at the Ellerslie Eastei has Nun Nicer and the Chiel Ruler —Seagull colt doing useful work, bill neither is ready to do much serious work at present, as both have just returnee from a spell. . , . Gay Sheila is striding along nicely 11 her work and appears to be back to hei best. She is engaged at the Easter nieet ing and should be found racing well ir. whichever event she starts. Tnere is somi doubt just now as to which race will be selected for her, but she certainly looks as if she will have to be reckoned with ib cither the Oaks or the Easter Handicap. Gay Blonde looks a picture, and hei appearance among the best of her age 11 the Great Northern Champagne Stakes wil be of interest to northerners. She hai clearly demonstrated her class in recenl events, and it would scem that not onb has she improved since the Christina: meeting, but she will provide very strong opposition to her opponents in thi month's classic event. Gay Blonde ha been a model of consistency in the past and will have a large following next at Speedmmt is still having a fairly easj •' time, but with the easing of the track: will be sent along, in her work with a view to late autumn and winter engagements Since racing at Te Aroha she has put or plenty of condition and will be in great heart to commence a solid preparation a. soon as her mentor decides to do «>• Lifeguard registered his .best peiform ance to date when he finished third tc Namakia and Waitaka at Paeroa. This was a useful effort and he is likely tc imprOTe and may take out a penile even before the season closes. He does no finish too solidly in his races as yet, but should he develop the with nee it would occasion no surprise tc find him turning out a useful three-year-old next season.