Takeover Target is ready to resume another campaign after a good win in a barrier trial at Warwick Farm. He ran 47.5 secs which was the quickest of the morning and he will be kicking off another international campaign in the Grp 1 TJ Smith Stks at Randwick on Saturday week.

Takeover Target is regarded as our best sprinter and has been for a few seasons, but where does he stand in relation to our all time greatest sprinters in Australia.

I would have to say he has to be right up there with the best, if not the best.

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Cheers

JD
www.horseracinginaustralia.com

Going to be clear favourite after Dante's Valente was withdrawn from the race. Will be very short price IMO.

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JD as I am sure you recognise, it is impossible to confidently draw any firm conclusions with regard to how Takeover compares with great sprinters of the past but I would be reluctant to say that any of them were better than him. Maybe some of them were, at least on their day, as good but he has been so consistently good all around the world. There is probably no more than a length in it one way of the other. I know the following list will be inadequate/ incomplete but here are a few of the past greats: Todman, Sky High, Wenona Girl, Vain, Placid Ark, Manikato, Schillaci, Falvelon, Choisir, Miss Andretti. I know I will have missed heaps and would like to be reminded of other greats who deserve to be mentioned. To be honest my interest has increasingly diminished over many years and I have forgotten more than I now know. I really like horse like Time and Time for example but am reluctant to call him super sprinter, maybe I am being unfair. I am sure I will think of another 2 or 3 as soon as I hit the Submit Reply button. One way or the other I am a Takeover and Joe fan.

Courtesy of racenet.com.au

Wednesday, 15 April 2009

Jockey Jay Ford has been replaced aboard champion sprinter Takeover Target by Nash Rawiller in Saturday’s Group I T J Smith Stakes at Randwick.

Takeover Target’s trainer Joe Janiak has not been unavailable for comment since the jockey change was released at midday but Nash Rawiller said he was honoured to get the opportunity.

“I’m rapt to be on him,” Rawiller said.

“I’ve been on some outstanding sprinters over the years and he’ll be the best one I’ve sat on.”

The decision was made after overnight rain with outgoing jockey Jay Ford sighting the prospect of the wet track as being the reason for his loss.

“Obviously Joe’s concern was the wet track and the horse would have too carry too much dead weight on his back,” Ford said.

“That and the fact that he missed a bit of work recently with all the rain up at Coffs Harbour and he’s looking after the horse’s best interests by using a heavier jockey to minimise the dead weight he’ll be carrying.”

Ford has been aboard Takeover Target in 36 of the champion’s 37-start career and today’s news comes as a major bombshell as the pair have combined for 19 victories.

The only time Ford didn't ride Takeover Target was due to a suspension he was serving when the horse finished seventh in the 2005 Age Classic under Steven Arnold.

Rawiller said the booking was for only for this Saturday and he want’s to make the most of his one off opportunity.

“There’s absolutely no chance I’ll be sticking with him,” Rawiller said.

“Jay will be back on him.”

Courtesy of racenet.com.au

Wednesday, 15 April 2009

A disappointed Jay Ford is looking to the future after he discovered today that he’s been replaced on Saturday by Nash Rawiller aboard Takeover Target.

Ford revealed Takeover Target’s trainer Joe Janiak made the decision “in the best interests of the horse” after finding out earlier today he wouldn’t be aboard the nine-year-old for only the second time in what will be his 38th start in the Group I T J Smith Stakes.

“Obviously Joe’s concern was the wet track and the horse would have too carry too much dead weight on his back,” Ford said.

“That and the fact that he missed a bit of work recently with all the rain up at Coffs Harbour and he’s looking after the horse’s best interests by using a heavier jockey to minimise the dead weight he’ll be carrying.”

Ford admitted to being “extremely disappointed” but he remains upbeat that he will be reunited with the six time Group I winner.

“He’s got a big campaign in front of him and Joe gave every indication I’d be back on him next start in the Goodwood so hopefully he runs well and I’ll be back on board,” he said.

After putting the horse through his paces at Randwick yesterday morning, Ford believes Takeover Target is set to run a cracking race this weekend.

“The horse is well, he missed a bit of work up at Coffs but I galloped him yesterday morning and he’s bright and well and his work was good,” he said.

“I can’t see why he won’t come and on Saturday and be very competitive.

“He’s in the race up to his ears, all indications are he’s back as good as ever.”

Ford said despite the disappointment that he won’t be getting legged aboard his “old marvel” he’ll “still be cheering him on” and offered one piece of advice for Rawiller.

“Sit on and hang on,” he said.

Courtesy of racenet.com.au

Wednesday, 15 April 2009

Jay Ford’s tumultuous day went from bad to worse then back again as he was released from his Doncaster ride on Chinchilla Rose but then reinstated.

Fighting to retain the ride on his champion mount Takeover Target, Ford asked for a release from Chinchilla Rose so he wouldn’t have to ride at 51.5kgs and therefore Takeover Target wouldn’t be forced to carry so much “dead weight”.

The mare’s owners and trainer, Chris Waller were happy to grant the desperate jockey’s request.

“At the end of the day we released him,” Waller said.

“We did the right thing and then the next thing we find out is he’s still not on.”

Ford was replaced aboard Chinchilla Rose by veteran jockey Rod Quinn who as shocked as anyone to find out Ford had been dumped from Takeover Target.

“I really don’t want to be involved in all this but they tell me I’m riding Chinchilla Rose,” Quinn said.

But a short time later stewards reinstated Ford aboard Chinchilla Rose.

“Jay sought a release to ride the other horse [Takeover Target] but he’s not on that anymore so the status quo remains as far as we’re concerned,” deputy steward Steve Railton said.

Rod Quinn was more than happy to move aside for Ford and joked, “I’m on, I’m off, I’m on and I’m off again”.

“It would be a bit rude for Jay to lose both rides.”