Tact McLeod to miss cup

Southland owned pacer Tact McLeod (Sweet Lou) won’t run in this year’s IRT New Zealand Cup.

“It’s nothing serious but serious enough to keep him out of the Cup. It’s a tendon issue right round the pastern at the bottom. He’s been on the water walker, has been treated and will start swimming shortly,” part owner Trevor Proctor said.

Proctor is unsure of how the injury occurred.

“We’re not sure whether its stress related or when it happened. He hasn’t been in any pain. The Vet seems to think it was an old injury.”

So Tact McLeod’s path back to the racetrack will be slow and steady.

“He’ll probably end up going back to Australia, but Mark (trainer Mark Jones) will have a better idea once he gets him up to full steam.”

After running creditable races in the New Zealand Cup and New Zealand Free For All, Tact McLeod embarked on an Australian campaign.

In eight starts there he recorded a win, three seconds and two thirds.

He was beaten by a neck by Swayzee in the Cordina Group Sprint, ran third in the Cranbourne Cup behind Leap To Fame and Don’t Stop Dreaming, third in the Miracle Mile won by Don Hugo and fourth in the Hunter Cup behind Swayzee, Leap To Fame and Republican Party.

The lightly raced six year old has had only thirty starts, winning nine of them and banking just over $308,000.

Meanwhile Tact McLeod’s dam Tact Hayley Jane is proving difficult to get in foal.

“I haven’t managed to get her in foal for the last two season. She is getting old (23). I might send her to Lord Forbes and get the self-service. I’d like to get another foal out of her then retire her.”

Proctors’ stable numbers are light at the moment but he’s about to start work on a Sweet Lou colt out of Tact Maggie.

“I’ve got two Bettor’s Delight fillies that came back from Marks after their first preparation. One out of Tact Maggie and the other is out of Tact Lizzie.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink