Australian racing hero Takeover Target is getting ready to kick off what could be his last campaign in next month's Group One TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick and his good mate and regular jockey Jay Ford will be with him all the way.Ford says he will travel up to Takeover Target's base at Coffs Harbour on the NSW north coast in the next couple of weeks to ride the champion in trackwork."It's always great hooking up with him and I'll be up heading up there as his work gradually builds towards the TJ

Australian racing hero Takeover Target is getting ready to kick off what could be his last campaign in next month's Group One TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick and his good mate and regular jockey Jay Ford will be with him all the way.

Ford says he will travel up to Takeover Target's base at Coffs Harbour on the NSW north coast in the next couple of weeks to ride the champion in trackwork.

"It's always great hooking up with him and I'll be up heading up there as his work gradually builds towards the TJ Smith," Ford said.

The Joe Janiak-trained nine-year-old landed win number 19 last start in the Group Three Scahill Stakes in Perth in a performance which took his earnings past $5.5 million from 35 starts.

And while he is excited, Ford says he does have mixed emotions about riding the sprint king again because he admits this could be Takeover Target's last campaign.

"He's not getting any younger and the time has to come soon and I'm just hoping he goes out on top the way he deserves to go out," Ford said.

"But this campaign won't be a retirement party, he showed in Perth that he is still one of the best around and he'll go to Singapore and England again and let them know he's about like he always does."

Takeover Target will defend his KrisFlyer Sprint crown in Singapore in May before returning to England for his fourth campaign at Royal Ascot.

"Joe is very happy with the horse, he's put on his usual bit of condition and he will do his usual thing and just go about his work professionally and be ready for his return," Ford said.

Takeover Target has won races in Japan, Singapore and England as well as Australia with Ford aboard for all but one of his starts.