Takeover Target Stakes – 2022

Track: Heavy   Weather: Possible showers

There are 16 runners for the $200,000 Takeover Target Stakes, with 12 geldings and four mares. There are 8 four-year-olds, 3 five-year-olds, 2 six-year-olds and 3 seven-year-olds. Two of the runners had their last start in the Listed Sunshine Coast Cup over 1400m on 29 January while the rest all came through different races. Chris Waller and Kris Lees have two runners each.

The betting is fairly open and the early favourite is four-year-old  Gravina who has won at Randwick and placed once this campaign. Second favourite is Oscar Zulu who hasn’t started since 2nd in the Sunshine Coast Cup in January and goes well first-up. Third favourite is Shelby Sixtysix who is exceptional on heavy tracks.

Southern Lad is back from a 17 week spell and placed in both lead-up trials.  Majestic Shot has won five of her 10 starts and won’t be far away. Prime Candidate resumes from a 15 week break and won a recent trial, while Blondeau is resuming from a 16 week break and goes well in heavy going.  All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Shelby Sixtysix (16)

This five-year-old gelding trained by Danny Williams at Goulburn is exceptional on heavy tracks. He finished ahead of Nature Strip in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes on a Heavy 9 on 5 March, then won the Group 2 Maurice McCarten and the Group 1 T J Smith Stakes both on Heavy 9 tracks. His statistics on heavy going are eight starts for four wins and three places. The time he didn’t make the trifecta was when he was found to be lame. Has drawn the outside barrier but if the track stays heavy he will be rocketing home at the end.

2. Trumbull (9)

Trained by Kim Waugh at Wyong and ridden by Jay Ford who has won this race before on Title in 2011 and Takeover Target (the horse this race is now named after) in 2004. This six-year-old Darci Brahma gelding is on a seven day back-up after finishing 3.4 lengths 5th in the Listed Hawkesbury Rush on 30 April. Looking elsewhere.

3. Prime Candidate (15)

Resumes from a 15 week break and won a recent trial. This is his best distance and has won one of six first-up. Could place,

4. Southern Lad (3)

Back from a 17 week spell and placed in both lead-up trials. He won first-up last campaign and can handle rain-affected going. Gets Brenton Avdulla who won this race on Tactical Advantage in 2019 and Testarhythm in 2013. Place chance.

5. Oscar Zulu (6)

One of two runners for Chris Waller. Jockey Jason Collett won this race last year on Enchanted Heart. Oscar Zulu hasn’t started since 2nd in the Sunshine Coast Cup in January and goes well first-up. He won a recent Rosehill trial and can handle heavy tracks. One of the main chances.

6. Gravina (8)

This four-year-old Sebring gelding trained by James Cummings has four wins and eight places from 16 starts. He won first-up this campaign at Randwick on heavy going then ran 3rd in the Maurice McCarten and 1.8 lengths 4th in the Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes. In the mix.

7. Dirty Thoughts (4)

Four-year-old mare from the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace stable.Has won five of her 15 starts and is a rough place chance.

8. Lord Olympus (12)

coming soon

9. Blondeau (2)

resuming from a 16 week break and goes well in heavy going

10. Majestic Shot (5)

has won five of her 10 starts and won’t be far away.

11. The Face (7)

coming soon

12. Bedtime Stories (11)

coming soon

13. Gospodin (10)

coming soon

14. Animate (14)

One of two runners for Kris Lees.

15. Constant Flight (13)

coming soon

16. Strange Charm (1)

coming soon

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
1 Shelby Sixtysix
6 Gravina
5 Oscar Zulu
10 Majestic Shot