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Takeover Target vs Huxssen in Goodwood - 05-01-09
April 30 - Throughout his career, top Australian thoroughbred Takeover Target has lived up to his name by notching up many victories for trainer Joe Janiak, which is precisely why the other contenders in Saturday's AUD$300,000 Goodwood Handicap (Gr 1), including Huxssen, will be gunning for him.
Considered a sprint, the 1200m Goodwood contested at Morphettville Racecourse in Adelaide is expected to be a real humdinger as Takeover Target sets out to defend his title as the nation's top runner. But for trainer Rodney Douglas, his quick charge Huxssen could be the horse to take down the gelding.
Said Douglas, 'Takeover Target should be too good for him, but this is horseracing and you never know what might happen. They didn't give Dandy Andy any chance, but he ended up winning the Australian Cup. Takeover Target is currently going really well and if he wasn't in the race you would be rapt.'
Douglas has good reason to be cautiously optimistic as Takeover Target keeps on delivering dazzling performances. Out of 38 career starts, Takeover has chalked up 20 wins. What's more, despite there being a six year age difference between him and 3-year-old Huxssen, he doesn't seem to be slowing down.
Huxssen does have in his favor the fact that he too is no stranger to the winner's circle. Out of his 8 starts, 4 have ended in victories. His most recent being in a 1440m outing at Caulfield Racecourse at the beginning of April, when he flew up the field from last place to beat Returntosender by almost two lengths.
As such, Douglas is pleased with Huxssen's form and is hopeful he'll put his best foot forward on Saturday in the Goodwood Handicap. 'It won't be a race for the faint-hearted, but he has freshened up well and is jumping out of his skin. If I Am Invincible loosens up Takeover, we'll be in a good position,' he said.
If Takeover Target wins the Goodwood Handicap, it will mark his 21st career win and 8th Gr 1 victory, boosting his earning to over AUD$6 million. In addition, a victory by the gelding will make it into the history books, as in the race's 128-year history, it has never before been won by a nine-year-old.
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