Target misses sprint date

Takeover Target has been withdrawn from the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint by trainer Joe Janiak after a blood sample taken on the gelding on Sunday morning proved positive to a banned steroid.

The participation of the seven-year-old had been in doubt since Thursday when it emerged a blood sample taken by the Hong Kong Jockey Club had highlighted an “irregularity”.

Janiak had been keen to leave it until the last possible moment to withdraw his star sprinter but he confirmed: “He’s out.”

In a statement issued by the HKJC, it was revealed that Takeover Target tested positive to 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone hexanoate on his arrival after landing the Sprinters Stakes in Japan.

Further tests were taken on November 14, November 29, December 5 and December 8, all of which came back positive.

Takeover Target was subsequently withdrawn from the Group One contest and Janiak now faces an inquiry at a date yet to be confirmed.