Racing: Takeover Target hits the bullseye in lauded farewell

Rarely does a racehorse receive a standing ovation, but thousands of racegoers at Randwick rose as one to greet Takeover Target's victory in the TJ Smith Stakes on Saturday.

Australia's most popular horse set a race record, despite the dead track to bow out a winner in what was probably his Sydney farewell.

The 9-year-old marvel threatened to steal all the limelight from Vision And Power, who later won the big race of the day, the Doncaster Mile, to give jockey Jim Cassidy and prominent owner Nick Moraitis their third group one in as many weeks.

Takeover Target wrested the lead from Northern Meteor early in the race and although the 3-year-old kept trying valiantly, he was no match in the final 200m.

Takeover Target stretched out to win by 2 lengths with last year's winner Apache Cat another three lengths away third.

Takeover Target took his record to 20 wins and 10 placings from 38 starts for prizemoney of A$5.8 million.

"I was just a passenger," was the modest comment from heavyweight jockey Nash Rawiller, who controversially got the ride only because regular rider Jay Ford was considered too light.

"It's all about the horse, it was a privilege to ride him and just great to be here.

"I was thrilled with the crowd response. He is just a great horse."

Trainer Joe Janiak said many doubters considered his champion too old, and accused him of being "too greedy" and chasing too much money.

"But the horse enjoys racing. He is such a happy horse," said Janiak who now plans to send Takeover Target to Adelaide for the Goodwood Handicap on May 2 before big races in Singapore and, finally, Royal Ascot later this year. Ford will be the probable rider.

Takeover Target was Rawiller's second group one win, after he steered Gai Waterhouse's Manhattan Rain to win the AJC Sires' Produce Stakes.

Plans for Northern Meteor are still open with the colt due to stand at Widden Stud next spring.

"We have left the door open on the All-Aged next week," manager Andrew Baddock said on Saturday. "But if he ran in that, then that would be it.

"That was as good as a win today. He has been beaten by the best sprinter we have ever seen."

- AAP