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Why Would You Bring Back Takeover Target?

September 16, 2010 By Carl Harris

Takeover Target, the veteran Australian sprinter who was retired last year, is on the verge of a sensational comeback. Now an 11-year-old, he was last seen finishing seventh in the July Cup at Newmarket behind Fleeting Spirit.

Takeover Target, Back in Training

His trainer Joe Janiak has revealed that the gelding has made a complete recovery from the cannon bone injury he picked up in that race and he has already been up to three-quarter speed at home. Speaking to Sky Sports Radio, Janiak said:

“I’ve had him X-rayed and got vet reports on him and he’s probably stronger on that leg than he ever was. The way the horse is going and the way he’s feeling, if he shows me he wants to keep going, I’ll keep going. If there was any doubt whatsoever I wouldn’t even consider it.”

Racing Diary Says….

This is pure greed. Takeover Target owes Janiak nothing, yet Janiak owes Takeover Target everything. Before this fairytale began Janiak was noting and this horse has made him a millionaire. He recieved an injury, a serious one at the age of ten, and a good decision was made to retire him, whilst he was in one piece. Surely he has earned his reirement?

This smacks of greed. With no other horses of top quality to turn to it seems that Janiak is putting himself before the horse. There is always the chance that something could happen to the horse, and for what, just becuse the trainer wants more days in the limelight? Takeover Target deserves a long and happy retirement. Put the horse first not yourself or your finances.

Filed Under: Horseracing News Tagged With: Joe Janiak, Takeover Target

Takeover Target…Farewell Old Friend…

July 12, 2009 By Carl Harris

The career of globetrotting sprinter Takeover Target is over after he fractured a cannon bone in the July Cup at Newmarket.

Retired- Takeover Target

The 10-year-old appeared to run his usual solid race in seventh behind Fleeting Spirit but a problem emerged afterwards.

In the immediate aftermath trainer Joe Janiak and Takeover Target’s jockey Jay Ford were too upset to talk but Janiak told the Racing Post on Saturday morning: “Thankfully, it’s all good news. Takeover Target cracked a cannon bone but he’s had five screws inserted and will be box rested at the hospital for a couple of months.

“He seems fine after the operation and he needs to rest. He has been a fantastic horse and we have had some great adventures with him.”

Janiak famously bought the sprinter for $1,250 in 2003 while he was still a taxi driver. He won eight races at the highest level and was a regular visitor to Royal Ascot, but had to miss the meeting this year after a small setback. Takeover Target retires with 21 career wins and earnings of more than $6 million.

Some Takeover Target Moments…
Kings Stand 2006 Royal Ascot

Filed Under: Horseracing News Tagged With: Jay Ford, Joe Janiak, Takeover Taget, Uncategorized

Takeover Target to Bid Farewell to Royal Ascot…

June 11, 2009 By Carl Harris

Joe Janiak hopes for winning farewell for Takeover Target….

…He tells The Daily Telegraph. Jim McGrath is an excellent racing journalist and has has spoken with Joe Janiak, the rags to riches trainer of Takeover Target ahead of Royal Ascot 2009.

Janiak told McGrath that he believes Takeover Target, his globe-trotting sprinter, will probably be running at his beloved Royal Ascot for the last time when he contests the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. Janiak Said;

He’s finished second, third and fourth [over the past three years] in the Golden Jubilee, and I’d love to see him win,” Janiak said. “We’re bypassing the King’s Stand, partly because of his age, and partly because it’s tough for the horse to keep backing up four days later,

The story of Janiak is remarkable. A former Taxi Driver he took Takeover Target from the scrap heap and made him a champion. McGrath writes;

His purchase of iron horse Takeover Target, for A$1,200, must be one of the greatest bargains in racing history. The Celtic Swing gelding has since won an amazing A$6 million – and admiration around the world.

No wonder there are plans to make a film about the trainer and the horse they call the people’s champ. “I suppose it is very like the stories of Seabiscuit and Phar Lap, in many ways,” Joe Janiak said.

Takeover Target won the Kings Stand Stakes in 2006 at Royal Ascot..

Takeover Target has run five times since he was in Britain last summer. His travelling is simply staggering. He went back to his native Australian base at Coff’s Harbour, New South Wales, then ran twice in Perth on the West Coast, went back to Sydney, then to Adelaide before taking off again to Singapore. The gelding was beaten in Singapore, but Janiak thinks he knows why. “He had the wrong shoes, and before the race, he was in isolation. He likes being with other horses,” he explained.

For the fourth consecutive year, Takeover Target will appear at Royal Ascot but let’s hope it is not his last. It would be great to see Takeover Target win again, even if they are Australian!