Oh let's hear it for the Singapore Turf Club.... race videos of the runners!!!
http://www.siacup.com.sg/divalignlef...8/Default.aspx
http://www.racingandsports.com.au/ra...asp?NID=126998
Janiak misses Target in the fog
Tuesday, 13 May 2008:
Trainer Joe Janiak didn't have the foggiest idea how champion sprinter Takeover Target worked at Sandown on Tuesday morning but he did get a close look at the Peter Moody-trained Magnus.
As a dense mist enveloped the track, Takeover Target was sent out for his final gallop before leaving on Wednesday for Sunday's Group One KrisFlyer Sprint (1200m) in Singapore.
Shortly after, his fellow Singapore hopeful Magnus began making his way onto the track before the session took a dramatic turn when Magnus tossed his rider and disappeared into the fog at a gallop.
"The fog was that bad you couldn't see where he was," Janiak said of Magnus.
"He just took off and we didn't know if he'd gone out onto the course proper or up the shute.
"Takeover Target was already out working (on the course proper) so thankfully Magnus went up the shute."
While Takeover Target was lucky to avoid a collision with Magnus, Janiak wasn't as fortunate.
Trying in vain to peer through the fog to locate his stable star, Janiak found himself face-to-face with the riderless Magnus.
"I tried to side-step him but he was too quick and put me on the ground," Janiak said.
"He had steel plates on and I didn't so I wasn't going to argue."
Janiak dusted himself off and emerged from the incident unscathed, as did Magnus who was taken back to the Sandown quarantine facility where he was closely inspected before returning onto the course for his hitout.
"We didn't need that this morning," Moody said.
"But it probably shows how well he's feeling, so if you can take a positive out of it that's it."
Janiak was forced to rely on a report from his trackwork rider regarding how Takeover Target galloped and said the news was good.
"I didn't see him work due to the fog but his work rider said he did everything right so I'm happy," Janiak said.
"He went over 1200 metres at three-quarter pace and then galloped over 800 metres and he didn't blow up too much."
Janiak will accompany Takeover Target on the flight to Singapore on Wednesday and said the eight-year-old could "sneak in another gallop" on arrival if the weather wasn't too humid.
Regular jockey Jay Ford will also leave for Singapore Wednesday to partner Takeover Target in Sunday's feature.
Janiak is quietly confident about his charge's chances following his game first-up third to Apache Cat on a unsuitable heavy track in the TJ Smith Stakes last month.
"It won't be an easy race by any means but he's more forward for this than he was for his last race," Janiak said.
Following his Singapore assault Takeover Target will travel to England for the major European sprints and could be joined by both Magnus and West Australian Universal Ruler.
The trio will represent Australia in the KrisFlyer Sprint.
* * *
Marcus pickes up the Salaam Dubai mount, Brettie on Ab Champ, Why Be scorches!
http://www.thoroughbrednews.co.nz/si...cing/?id=34834
Tuesday tracknotes and pics...
http://www.siacup.com.sg/DesktopModu...266&PortalId=0
On Magnus (might not be his swansong now.... King's Stand?)...
http://www.siacup.com.sg/DesktopModu...266&PortalId=0
San(I'm at Kranji!)ziro.....
http://www.hkjc.com/english/news/news_2008051318974.htm