Best sprinter in the world?

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arganaut
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Best sprinter in the world?

Postby arganaut » Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:31 am

Takeover Target - is he the best sprinter currently in the world?

He has arrived in the UK to tackle the 2 big Royal Ascot sprints - the Golden Jubilee and the Kings Stand - and he is already favourite for both.

Takeover won the Australian Triple Crown - Salinger, Newmarket and Lightning Stakes - all down the long Flemington straight.

The 'aussie wonder' is a great racing fairytale story.

Sold as a cast-off, he was purchased by taxi-driver, Joe Janiak, who lives in a caravan, for $1250.

He has now won over $A1.8m. (18 starts for 11 wins & 3 placings)

Joe is as down to earth a bloke you could find and to think he may be meeting the Queen will certainly prove the old adage, racing is a great leveller.

Takeover Target is by the UK bred sire, Celtic Swing (GB), from the Archregent (CAN) mare, Shady Stream.

Come July, more people may agree he is the best sprinter currently in the world.
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FOS
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Postby FOS » Thu Jun 08, 2006 3:34 pm

hi arganaut

What type of course does Takeover Target favor...

...what is his standout distance?

Are both the Golden Jubilee and the King's Stand over a straight course at Ascot?

Respectfully

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Takeover Target

Postby arganaut » Thu Jun 08, 2006 5:44 pm

Hi FOS,

1000-1200m is his best distance but he has won up to 1400m and never tried at anything further.

He is a freak at the straight course racing but around the bends he has also recorded some of the fastest times seen in oz.

5 runs back he won over 1200m in 1-07.88 around the bend - 0.72 outside the Australian record which is actually held by a winner of a straight race.

What is more amazing that day Takeover carried 59.5kg and he smashed the track record of 1.08.06.

2 weeks later he lined up over 1350m and carrying 60.5kg was 0.04 outside the track record. Again around the bends but he is much better down the straights.

The great news is he is six going on seven and has only had 18 starts and seems to be getting better with age.

His will to win is amazing and he loves a dog-fight.

His trainer is planning to take him on to Dubai and Hong Kong after England.
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Postby louis finochio » Thu Jun 08, 2006 6:23 pm

TT has an outcross pedigree of many chefs, with no duplication in his 5 generation pedigree.

To bad TT is a gelding, as he would have made a prolific QH stallion.
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Takeover Target

Postby arganaut » Thu Jun 08, 2006 6:37 pm

Hi Louis,

That is interesting breeding information.

We are really glad down here for once we have a top sprinter with no fear of being lost to stud.

The norm here now due to the lucrative bloodstock industry is to rack up a Gr 1 win and go straight to stud.

For us racing fanatics we are glad we have something to cheer for!

If you get a chance watch the UK sprints on the 20th and 24th and let us know what you think of the 'wonder from downunder'.
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Postby FOS » Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:20 pm

hi arganaut

Thanks for the info...Takeover Target sounds like a lot of fun, and very game.

Since he's in England now, maybe his connections will make his next stop the USA. There are some big-time sprints on the turf that might just suit his fancy...and who knows, he might just make an impressive transition to the dirt (if his connections are game enough to try a dirt surface). It'd be fun to see such a speedball line up in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, and test the waters.

Remember Dayjur? He raced brilliantly on the weeds in England and France, then showed his brilliance on the dirt in the BC Sprint. Unfortunately he jumped a shadow while on the lead in mid-stetch and finished 2nd (arguably costing himself a victory and sprint eclipse honors). Regardless, it was clear he was very special.

Can Takeover Target handle firm...good...yielding...and soft turf, or is he scratched when the surface is not just right?

Best to you.

Respectfully

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Takeover Target

Postby arganaut » Thu Jun 08, 2006 10:49 pm

Hi Fos,

He probably does prefer it firm but saying that in another of our Group 1 feature sprints, the Oakleigh Plate (1100m), he finished third at his only start on a heavy track.

On a dead surface (down here that is one down from good) he finished third in another Group 1 sprint, the Doomben 10,000, and fourth, at his only other starts on a wet surface.

The great thing about his racing style is he can sit up on the pace, look like he is gone, then come with a second sprint to win. It really has to be seen to be believed.

It would not surprise if his trainer Joe Janiak decided to include the US, as he has nothing left to prove in Australia.

Dayjur is an interesting comparison - we have a son at stud down here called Hayil. Here is some info from their website -

"HAYIL's sire, DAYJUR, took honours as "European Horse of the Year, Champion Three-Year-Old Colt and Champion Sprinter", with victories in the Keeneland Nunthorpe Stakes G1, Ladbroke Sprint G1 and Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp G1. A son of DANZIG, DAYJUR is out of Champion Sprinter GOLD BEAUTY, herself a daughter of MR PROSPECTOR.

DAYJUR earned a Timeform rating of 137 --- that of a superstar.

DAYJUR has followed up by siring a long list of winners and has been credited with stakes earners in America, England, France, Italy, Japan and the United Arab Emirates. To date he has had winners of over 400 races and $US15 million. In general he has been one of the best sources of DANZIG speed, a trait that his son HAYIL will have every opportunity to transmit on at Lyndhurst."
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Spirit of Takeover

Postby arganaut » Fri Jun 09, 2006 4:34 am

Another important sidelight is Takeover Target has a guardian angel. His first trainer, John Morish, who was accidently killed in a shooting accident, had previously told Joe when he bought the horse at a tried sale, he had himself a 'budding superstar'.

Also, he always has the same jockey who travels anywhere to ride him, Jay Ford, foregoing all other engagements even to ride him in track work. When Jay first started riding Takeover he was still an apprentice jockey.
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Postby louis finochio » Fri Jun 09, 2006 6:48 am

Has TT the conformation of a blocky QH type, or has he the medium to long cast body of a distance runner ?

The photo in the data bank is not good to answer my ?. Thanks Louis.
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Takeover Target

Postby arganaut » Sun Jun 11, 2006 5:36 am

Hi Louis,

The unique thing is he is both.

Special accommodation is needed for him on raceday. One horse stall is too small and his trainer Joe always requests two. Quite often to take care of Takeover he is given a specially prepared stall by track staff which can often be a converted wash bay, swabbing stall or something of a similar size.

Will email you a photo of TT asap.

Thanks for your interest.

Best Wishes.
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Postby erins isle » Mon Jun 12, 2006 2:24 am

Very interesting topic, I am always looking forward to Royal Ascot, the BBC has a great program with lots of background information. To see this horse run will be someting special. Puts the icing on the cake!!

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Takeover Target

Postby arganaut » Mon Jun 12, 2006 3:36 am

Hi erins isle,

We also can't wait down here to see the big bay fly in Ascot.

Here are some articles from past wins in Oz -

2004 Gr 1 Salinger Stakes

"This race will be remembered as one of the great racing stories of modern times. Takeover Target, a 5yo gelding unbeaten in six starts at six different tracks was produced by Queanbeyan hobby trainer and taxi-driver, Joe Janiak and left a field of Australasia?s best sprinters in his wake in a stunning performance.
Takeover Target was ridden perfectly by NSW apprentice Jay Ford, who has piloted the gelding to each of his seven victories throughout his brief career. It was the first time the trio, Joe, Jay and Takeover Target had set foot onto Flemington and racing fans are certain it won?t be the last.
It was a fitting tribute to the late John Morish as he initially prepared the horse prior to Janiak purchasing the sprinter at an Inglis Tried-horse sale, bidding up to $1250 to secure the unraced galloper. Immediately after the sale, Janiak contacted Morish who had told him ?as long as the horse remains sound, he has the ability to develop into a serious Group performer?. The huge field had all crossed to the flat-side, with Lilando leading on the rail, Takeover Target sitting and waiting and Taikun on his outside starting to feel the impost of his topweight. Inside the 250m Takeover Target was given full rein and found three lengths cruising past Lilando to win by two, the Gerald Ryan trained Recurring finished gallantly for second, while the grey St. Basil came from near last to claim third, Lilando battled on for fourth. It was only Jay Ford?s second ride in a Group 1 race and the pair stopped the clock in a sizzling 1.8.2. ?When I asked him to go, he just lets down and finds three lengths, he?s just a superstar this horse,? Jay exclaimed on returning to scale.

and

2005 Summer Stakes

"The Doomben Summer Series saw the much anticipated return to racing of Takeover Target.Trainer Joe Janiak prepared his now 6 year old gelding from Coffs Harbour after transferring from Canberra where Joe had worked as a taxi driver. The powerfully built horse a son of Celtic Swing who races with his now familiar nose-roll was about to ignite the summer carnival.
During 2004 Takeover Target remained undefeated wining seven races including one of country racings toughest sprints the Grafton Ramornie 1200m and the best was yet to come. Flemington in November and our thoughts turn to the Melbourne Cup and the mighty Makybe Diva. At his seventh race start Joe's bargain buy became a Group 1 winner down the straight course at Flemington in the Salinger Stakes 1200m Takeover Target and his regular rider Jay Ford left racegoers myself included spellbound with one of the most convincing wins seen in this prestigious race.
Now to the 2005 Brisbane Winter Carnival. Takeover Target defeated for the first time finishing fourth still impressed bookmakers enough for him to start favourite for the Doomben 10,000 running a creditable third to Red Oog and then following this with an unplaced run to St Basil in the Stradbroke finishing just three lengths from the winner.
Come summer 2005 Takeover Target and his wily trainer were about to serve an unxepected treat to the racegoers who ventured to Doomben on Summer Stakes day a race over 1200m first leg of the BTC Summer series. Bookmakers were generous offering odds of 4/1 and as is said, the rest is history. From 1 alley and 59kg Takeover Target blitzed with field leading throughout wining by an ever increasing margin in 1.7.8 breaking the track and couse record. Returning to Doomben for the second of the series the Doomben Stakes 1350m and handicapped at 60.5kg on a very hot day not unusual at this time in Brisbane starting from a midfield barrier draw Jay Ford was able to position Takeover Target in the box seat with the very fast Impaler leading to the turn and it seemed only a matter of "how far". This wonderful horse did not disappoint his fans as he raced on to win clearly running times which was within a length of Falvelon's 10,000 winning time."
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Takeover Target

Postby arganaut » Mon Jun 12, 2006 5:54 am

Latest markets -

20/6/06 King's Stand Stakes, 6-1 Takeover Target, 8-1 Moss Vale, 9-1 Reverence, Tax Free, 10-1 La Cucaracha, 11-1 Dandy Man, 12-1 Glamour Puss, 14-1 Majestic Missile, The Tatling, 16-1 Falkirk, Gift Horse, The Trader.

24/6/06 Golden Jubilee Stakes, 7-1 Takeover Target, 9-1 Glamour Puss, 10-1 Amadeus Wolf, La Cucaracha, Soldier's Tale, 11-1 Ifraaj, 14-1 Gift Horse, 16-1 Balmont, Etlaala, Fayr Jag.
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Postby louis finochio » Mon Jun 12, 2006 6:34 am

Thanks for sending me the photo of TT. I see a well balanced TB with a small head and kind eye.

TT is of a medium build and doesnt have a heavy body for his legs to support, which means he will have inherited soundness.

Good Luck TT in your future races and out run the wind. Your in Sport Louis.
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Takeover Target

Postby arganaut » Tue Jun 13, 2006 3:53 am

Takeover's nickname is 'Archie'.

He is occupying the same stable Choisir did in 2003 - the aussie horse who became only the third in history to do the Royal Ascot double and paved the way for sprinters like Takeover to tackle the world's best.

Here is 'The Targets' last 5 starts -

1 of 14 11/3/06 Down the straight at Flemington Track-Good Distance-1200m Race-Group 1 Newmarket Handicap Weight-57.0 Time-1-08.03

3 of 11 25/2/06 Anti-clockwise at Caulfield Track-Heavy Distance- 1100m Race-Group 1 Oakleigh Plate Weight-57.0 Time-1-04.46

1 of 11 4/2/06 Down the straight at Flemington Track-Good Distance-1000m Race-Group 1 Lightning Stakes Weight-57.5 Time-0-56.80

1 of 12 24/12/05 Clockwise at Doomben Track-Good Distance-1350m Race-Listed Doomben Stakes Weight-60.5 Time-1-17.25

1 of 18 10/12/05 Clockwise at Doomben Track-Good Distance-1200m Race-Group 3 Summer Stakes Weight-59.5 Time-1-07.88 (New Race & Course Record)

Only 7 days until he flies at Ascot!
:D
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