Gosford Takeover Target Stakes primed for Joe Pride dominance once more

Joe Pride holds a special affection for the Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford, evidenced by his long-standing pattern of victories across more than two decades.

His debut effort in 2004 with Red Oog didn't yield the win, but it proved pivotal for the future dual Group 1 champion, introducing him to elite black-type open company for the first time.

Since then, Pride has captured the event five times in total, including first stakes triumphs for Title (2011), See The World (2012), and Ball Of Muscle (2015) right there in the Gosford dash, with Kuro (2017) adding to the tally later on.

Three years ago, Think About It delivered Pride's most fresh success, springing from this highlight to conquer the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup and Stradbroke Handicap in successive starts before dominating The Everest come 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 has Kerguelen primed for Saturday's running, positioning the Godolphin gelding as a strong contender to elevate his handler's already impressive Gosford stats.

After tackling Group-level tests in his previous pair of outings, Kerguelen eyes black-type glory, highlighted by his recent fast-finishing effort for fifth place trailing 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."

The trainer reunites with Sam Clipperton, the regular partner for Think About It, now tabbed for Kerguelen.

After retiring 14 months post his 2023 Everest triumph due to lost enthusiasm, Clipperton gained clarity during his hiatus and returned to competition last year with revitalized purpose.

Pride appreciates the shift and is delighted by Clipperton's involvement once again.

"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."

Alongside Kerguelen, Pride runs Crepe Myrtle for Godolphin at the meeting, expressing confidence in her bid during 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."

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