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Takeover Target sets sights on turf crown

19th Apr 2009

Herald Sun - Tim Habel - Monday, 20 April 2009

IN THE twilight years of a remarkable career, Takeover Target may have one more accolade beckoning: Horse of the Year honours.

The nine-year-old may be giving his rivals a start for a change, but Saturday's breathtaking T. J. Smith Stakes win at Randwick is the springboard for a late challenge.

A slow starter this season because of an injury, Takeover Target has won all three starts. Saturday week's Goodwood Handicap (1200m) at Morphettville looks gift-wrapped.

The champion sprinter will carry maximum 58.5kg topweight and TAB Sportsbet has installed him $2.20 favourite.

Then comes the KrisFlyer Sprint (1200m) in Singapore on May 17, which he won last year, and a fourth trip to Royal Ascot in England in June for the Golden Jubilee (1200m).

Win those, or even two of the three, and the sentimental vote will surely be for Takeover Target. Even Janiak seemed in awe of his champion's speed display on Saturday.

"We were pretty confident. His last two trials were pretty good. Considering his age, what he did was a great effort," he said. "The only question mark was whether he was 100 per cent fit. He's pulled up beautiful and there's plenty of improvement left in him."

Regular rider Jay Ford will return for the Goodwood to replace the suspended Nash Rawiller.

Janiak said it was a combination of dead weight in the T. J. Smith and having to waste to get down to 51.5kg in the Doncaster that influenced him to replace Ford.

"There's no issue at all. There's nothing personal between me and Jay," he said.

Janiak confirmed international plans included Singapore and England and hinted the Golden Jubilee would be a fitting farewell.

"He's run second, third and fourth in the Jubilee and one year he was stiff not to win it. It'd be nice to finish off there," he said.

Betstar's Michael Eskander has Theseo $2.20 and Niconero at $4.80 heading an unofficial Horse of the Year market.

Theseo and Niconero each have three Group 1 wins, the best haul so far this season, and Theseo has four Group 1 placings. Should Niconero win Sunday's $2.5 million Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin in Hong Kong, his claims would be hard to deny.

Vision And Power can boost his claims if he completes a Group 1 hat-trick in Saturday's Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.

Maldivian, Samantha Miss and Viewed must rely on their deeds to date, but West Australian sprinter Scenic Blast is a "sleeper".

If he can win the King's Stand at Royal Ascot and, or, the July Cup at Newmarket, he has to be a serious contender.

Scenic Blast has been back in work a fortnight.

"I'm very happy with him," trainer Danny Morton said.

"I'll see how he comes up before we decide whether to trial or race him before we go."

Scenic Blast will leave for England on May 27. Steve Arnold will retain the ride.