Takeover Target's Tests Show 'An Irregularity'; Additional Tests to be Conducted

The Hong Kong Jockey Club reported Thursday that the test samples taken from Takeover Target, a leading contender for Sunday's Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (gr. I), show an "irregularity" and additional testing will be conducted.

"It is a practice of The Hong Kong Jockey Club to obtain samples from overseas horses which are to participate in any of the Club's international races after the horse arrives in Hong Kong," the HKJC report. "From time to time these post-arrival samples show irregularities and when this occurs further samples are taken for analysis from the relevant horse leading up to the race. Samples taken from Takeover Target, subsequent to its arrival in Hong Kong, have shown an irregularity. Further samples will be taken from Takeover Target for analysis by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing Laboratory."

An Australian-based 7-year-old gelding co-owned and trained by Joe Janiak, Takeover Target has won 13 of 23 career starts, with earnings of $2,701,596. He could net a $1 million bonus with a victory at Sha Tin.