Singapore Falls To Takeover
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday May 19, 2008
THOROUGHBRED hero Takeover Target can add Singapore to the list of worldwide credits. The horse that trainer and owner Joe Janiak paid $1350 for staved off another Australian in Magnus to win last night's KrisFlyer International Sprint when stepping out in Singapore for the first time.
It was the sixth triumph at group 1 level for Takeover Target, which has now won major races in Britain and Japan as well as features in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The rising nine-year-old used the KrisFlyer as a stepping stone for a third assault on Royal Ascot. "That's paid his way now - anything else is a bonus from here on in," Janiak said last night.Ridden again to perfection by Jay Ford, who has accompanied Janiak and the horse on the world adventure, Takeover Target won in a 1200m Kranji track record.The gelding won the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot two years ago and has placed twice in the group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes at the same track. "He is rising nine but he probably thinks he is a three-year-old," Ford said after the half-length win as favourite."I think he is going as good as ever. He has turned in a terrific effort tonight, toughed it out, and there is still something in the tank for England."Takeover Target was taken on in front last night and looked to be in a spot of bother shortly after straightening, but the gelding demonstrated championship qualities once more to lead Magnus and Sanziro in third. "He was a bit fractious in the gates today, not the cleanest to break," Ford said. "But he mustered speed quite easily. They applied plenty of pressure from the outset, we tried to hold the lead ... but he is just that tough and gutsy. "Although he ran a terrific race today I think there is a bit of improvement in him."Leading Australian jockey Damien Oliver paid credit to the performance of the Peter Moody-trained Magnus, which is set to accompany Takeover Target to the UK. "He has run great," Oliver said. "He deserves another crack at it [in Britain]. He is in great form, he is holding his form, and I think that 1000m at Royal Ascot really suits him."Elsewhere, Mark Minervini may be bunkered down on the Gold Coast with the flu but the South Australian trainer reports Vormista is ready for a return bout with Apache Cat in Saturday's Doomben 10,000. "She is magnificent," Minervini said. "There are no problems with her."Apache Cat is out to make it five straight group 1 victories after digging deep when withstanding the finishing burst of Vormista in the BTC Cup at Doomben nine days ago.Jockey Corey Brown has been aboard Apache Cat in each of the past four group 1 victories, while Oliver, who won the Doomben Cup at the weekend, retains the mount on Vormista.
© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald
