Australian sprint hero Takeover Target showed trainer Joe Janiak he was spot-on for Saturday week's TJ Smith Stakes with an all-the-way barrier trial victory at Warwick Farm on Tuesday.Torrential rain at his Coffs Harbour base in northern NSW forced Janiak to bring the champion to Sydney earlier than planned for his build-up to the 1200-metre Group One race at Randwick.Ridden by regular jockey Jay Ford, Takeover Target defeated Lost Oscar by two lengths in heat seven over 800 metres in a time of
Australian sprint hero Takeover Target showed trainer Joe Janiak he was spot-on for Saturday week's TJ Smith Stakes with an all-the-way barrier trial victory at Warwick Farm on Tuesday.
Torrential rain at his Coffs Harbour base in northern NSW forced Janiak to bring the champion to Sydney earlier than planned for his build-up to the 1200-metre Group One race at Randwick.
Ridden by regular jockey Jay Ford, Takeover Target defeated Lost Oscar by two lengths in heat seven over 800 metres in a time of 47.5 seconds, the fastest heat of the morning.
"He's still a bit big but I couldn't have been happier with what he did," Janiak said.
"He jumped well and charged to the lead and did a great job, he's where I want him for the TJ.
"It's a slight change of plans to be here but we had to do it, my stables are OK but the racetrack at Coffs is underwater."
The 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 37 starts.
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.
Takeover Target has won races in Japan, Singapore and England as well as Australia with Ford aboard for all but one of his starts.