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.