The Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford might just be among Joe Pride’s favourite events on the racing calendar given his record of success over more than two decades.
While he didn’t claim it at his first attempt in 2004 with Red Oog, the race was an important stepping stone for the subsequent dual Group 1 winner, representing his maiden foray into open class black-type company.
From that introduction, Pride has gone on to win the race five times and three of those victors – Title (2011), See The World (2012) and Ball Of Muscle (2015) – all recorded their first stakes win in the Gosford sprint, while Kuro (2017) collected it later in his career.
His most recent success came with Think About It three years ago, that horse using the feature as a springboard to claim the Group 1 double of the Kingsford-Smith Cup and Stradbroke Handicap at his next two outings before capturing The Everest in the 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.”
Pride will saddle-up Kerguelen in Saturday’s renewal and the Godolphin gelding is a genuine chance to enhance his trainer’s already stellar record.
Kerguelen will be chasing a black-type breakthrough after contesting Group races at his past two starts, the latest when reeling off some slick sectionals for fifth behind accomplished stablemate 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.”
Pride will also be getting the band back together with Think About It’s regular rider, Sam Clipperton, booked for Kerguelen.
Clipperton retired 14 months after his 2023 Everest win, deciding his heart was no longer in the sport, but the time away gave him fresh perspective and drive, and he made a comeback to the saddle last year.
Pride can see the change and is rapt to have Clipperton back in the fold.
“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.”
Kerguelen will be one of two Gosford runners Pride saddles for Godolphin, and he’s equally upbeat about the chances of the other, Crepe Myrtle in 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.”
