Late developer now on target for Townsville Cup

By Josh Spasaro

Michael Hickmott believes he has figured out why Takeover Target took a little while to find his groove in North Queensland.

The two-year-old named after the legendary gelding Takeover Target, who won more than $6 million in prizemoney, is one of the runners to beat in the Townsville Wildcard Final over 498 metres on Tuesday night, where he will go after four consecutive wins.

He now has 10 victories from 27 starts, but didn’t register his first win until his fifth start.

Hickmott believes that is because the Moving Target and I’m A Dancer chaser was always calm from early on in his track career.

Maybe he was too calm.

“He’s a beautiful dog. He’s so relaxed,” Hickmott said.

“In the kennel, he doesn’t move. If you’re getting other dogs out, he just lies there. Even going out on the track, he’s not silly or anything. He just does his job when he gets there.

“His nature probably explains why in his early days he took a little bit to get going.”

Takeover Target’s first win was a Robert Olsen heat for maidens, before winning the Final on February 3.

“He’s always been handy – he won the maiden series. But, he’s a pretty late maturer,” Hickmott said.

“I’ve had other dogs who won five or six straight and then they can’t win a race.

“He’s a beautiful-natured dog and he’d make a good pet for someone. He’s come good at the right time, that’s for sure.”

Now, one of the in-form dogs in Townsville, Takeover Target will also have the benefit of starting from box eight in Tuesday night’s Final, which is worth $24,000.

The winner will automatically qualify for the Group 2 Townsville Cup Final on September 11.

“He’s got a good chance. He’s drawn the right box. He loves the eight box,” Hickmott said.

“With the boxing and if he brings his best form, they’ll have to be on their best behaviour.”

Takeover Target ran the fastest heat time of 28.45 seconds from box six last week, beating Hunter’s Boy by one-and-three-quarter lengths.

Hickmott, a veteran trainer based at Bluewater, has also been impressed with his recent box manners.

“He’s been jumping a lot better, too. He nearly jumped to the front last week, so it probably wouldn’t have mattered what box he had,” he said.

“He’ll have to go with them this week, that’s for sure. 

"There are a couple of dogs there who go all right, but he’s in form at the moment, that’s the main thing.”

In a quality Townsville Wildcard Final, Hickmott said Maisie Moo Moo, with 16 career wins, poses a threat to his in-form runner from box four.

He was also impressed with Hunter’s Boy last week, who will start inside Takeover Target from box seven on Tuesday night.

“The seven dog went well last week,” Hickmott said.

“Maisie Moo Moo used to be a lot better than what she is. She came on season and she could be up there.

“But, they’re a little bit out of form at the moment. She was as quick as him earlier in the year, but they’ve been in and out of form.”