Given his track record of achievements over 20-plus years, the Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford ranks highly among Joe Pride’s preferred fixtures on the schedule.
In 2004, Red Oog failed to deliver victory on Pride’s first go, yet the race acted as a crucial step forward for the eventual double Group 1 victor, his initial exposure to top-tier black-type open events.
Pride has since triumphed five times overall, with Title (2011), See The World (2012), and Ball Of Muscle (2015) notching their stakes debuts in the Gosford sprint, while Kuro (2017) claimed his midway through his career.
Think About It provided the most current win three years prior, utilizing the contest to propel into Group 1 glory via the Kingsford-Smith Cup and Stradbroke Handicap next up, en route to The Everest success in spring.
“I’m not sure there is another race I’ve won more times than this one,” Pride said.
“I’ve had good success. I even ran into Takeover Target when he won it, and who it’s named after now. That was with Red Oog, who ran third.
“I have quite often been able to use it as a progression race. It’s a nice race along the way for a horse being introduced to stakes racing.”
On Saturday, Pride unleashes Kerguelen in the feature, the Godolphin gelding well-positioned to augment his trainer’s formidable history there.
Kerguelen pursues black-type honors post Group assignments in recent starts, including a sharp sectional display to place fifth behind fellow stable runner Mazu in the Hall Mark Stakes (1200m).
“He ran amazing sectionals and that’s what he can do. He can break 33 (seconds) coming home,” Pride said.
“He will do that again on Saturday, it’s just what sort of head start he will be giving. But he will be the horse to beat.
“I want to get him into the Stradbroke, but he needs to be winning a race like this to go there.”
Think About It’s go-to rider Sam Clipperton rejoins Pride for the Kerguelen mount.
Clipperton had retired 14 months after the 2023 Everest, citing diminished drive, but the sabbatical restored his zeal, leading to a comeback last year.
The trainer observes the evolution and welcomes Clipperton enthusiastically.
“He’s a different person now. He was stale at the end, and Sam will tell you that,” Pride said.
“His mind wasn’t in the right place but, gee, he’s focused now. He’s a good rider, and he looks very stylish on a horse.”
Pride fields a pair for Godolphin at Gosford, with Crepe Myrtle also drawing praise ahead of the Triple M Thunder Handicap (1000m).
“I saved her from last week because I didn’t like the draw. She’s got a better draw this week and she will be hard to beat,” he said.
“I think she is on the right trajectory to be getting to a stakes race this campaign.”
Head to betting sites for the latest racing odds on the Takeover Target Stakes.