News

Takeover Target to run in barrier trial

6th Apr 2009

Racing and Sports - Monday, 6 April 2009

Torrential rain in northern NSW has forced Joe Janiak to bring international sprint star Takeover Target to Sydney earlier than planned and he will run in a Warwick Farm barrier trial on Tuesday.

Takeover Target's training regime has been interrupted by wet weather at his Coffs Harbour base.

He will have a workout over 800 metres in the seventh heat of the morning ahead of his tilt at the Group One TJ Smith Stakes (1200) at Randwick on Saturday week.

Takeover Target's stakes winning half-brother Predatory Pricer, who is trained by Paul Murray, is an uncertain runner in Saturday's Derby.

Murray said he would make up his mind on Tuesday morning hoping the long range weather forecast would be favourable.

"We're not going to run on anything worse than a dead track but there's been a good breeze today and we'll see if the track has improved any," Murray said.

Murray was successful in securing another half brother for $425,000 at the second session of the Australian Easter Yearling Sale in Sydney.

"This one looks a bit more like Takeover Target and it's good to have another one from the family," Murray said.

"I thought it would bring between $350,000 and $400,000 but I was happy to get it for the price.

"We are looking to find a couple of people to take shares in it and hopefully it will continue the family's success."

Janiak's plans for Takeover Target include the Goodwood Handicap at Morphettville in May and a defence of the KrisFlyer Sprint in Singapore, before he decides on another trip to Royal Ascot.