In-form Tashi set for the Takeover Target Stakes
A mare in career-best form and a stablemate who enjoys wet conditions will spearhead Peter and Paul Snowden’s assault on the Takeover Target Stakes at Newcastle.
While Tashi has always shown ability, the four-year-old has gone to a new level this preparation winning two of her first three starts and finishing runner-up to subsequent T J Smith Sakes winner Chain Of Lightning in the Birthday Card Stakes.
She missed a top-three finish for the first time this autumn when sixth in Group 2 company last month after getting too far back, but her performance didn’t disappoint Peter Snowden, who will take her to Saturday’s Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) full of confidence.
“She is fully matured now and she looks well and she is racing well,” Peter Snowden said.
“Even last start she got too far back but ran on really well and wasn’t beaten far.
“She is drawn out a bit on Saturday, but it might be the better place to be on the soft ground and she doesn’t mind soft ground, she has been on it five times for two wins and two seconds.”
Barn mate Devil’s Throat has been more hit and miss during his career, but three of his five wins have been on rain-affected tracks.
Snowden said the gelding had excuses when failing to beat a rival home first-up in the Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington and was capable on his day.
“His first-up run was OK because he had no luck,” Snowden said.
“He had nowhere to go and it was a roughhouse race, he got bounced around like a ping pong ball.
“But he likes this going, he’s drawn to get a good run and the distance suits him perfectly.
“He is not without some hope, but Tashi is definitely the bet of the two.”
The Takeover Target Stakes has a handy honour roll, most notably the race’s namesake who won it in 2004 when it was known as the Pacesetter Stakes.
It has also been a career launch pad for the likes of multiple Group 2 winner Ball of Muscle (2015), classy mare Enchanted Heart (2021) and Everest winner Think About It last year.
Saturday’s renewal will be held at Newcastle after racing officials moved the meeting from Gosford due to concerns the rain-soaked Central Coast track would struggle to hold up if the forecast rain arrived over the weekend.
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...