Takeover Target has been withdrawn from the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint by trainer Joe Janiak after a blood sample taken on the gelding on Sunday morning proved positive to a banned steroid.

Connections of Takeover Target are awaiting the results of another blood test taken on the seven-year-old ahead of Sunday’s Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin.

Desert Lord had his first taste of the all-weather track at Sha Tin this morning as he continued his build up to the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint.

Australian trainer Joe Janiak reports Takeover Target to be in rude health after narrowly failing to pull off a Royal Ascot double.