Conditions suit Pereille in Takeover Target Stakes

The possibility of a heavy racing surface and Pereille’s ability to sprint well fresh should advantage the talented Godolphin galloper in the Listed Takeover Target Stakes over 1,200m at Gosford on Saturday.

Head trainer James Cummings accepted with Pereille and Spacewalk, scratching the stablemates from the Listed Australian Turf Club Trophy over the same distance at the Gold Coast in preference.

Both horses drew wide barriers in Queensland, but Pereille came up with gate three at Gosford and Cummings has booked Andrew Adkins to ride.

Pereille hasn’t raced since finishing one length behind It’sourtime in the G3 Standish Handicap down the straight at Flemington on 11 January.

But the five-year-old, who has the excellent first-up record of two wins and three placings from six fresh starts, had the benefit of two easy barrier trials at Rosehill Gardens and Randwick in April.

With only 1kg over the limit and the Gosford track rated a Soft 7 with rain falling in the Central Coast area on Thursday, Pereille looks well placed.

The gelding finished close seconds to Jedibeel and Iowna Merc in Listed sprints in Sydney before heading to Melbourne and did bolt home by four lengths on a Heavy 10 surface during the winter carnival at the Sunshine Coast 12 months ago.

If Adkins can give Pereille an economical run from the gates and not get too far back on the tight Gosford circuit, Pereille should be finding the line and finishing hard.

In contrast, Spacewalk has drawn barrier 15 and will need luck in the run to go his way.

If jockey Adam Hyeronimus can find cover and save Spacewalk for one final sprint, the five-year-old gelding possesses a lethal turn of foot and could prove the surprise packet.

Fourth in the Listed Bob Hoysted Handicap down the straight 1,000m at Flemington when first-up on 29 March, Spacewalk then loomed as the likely winner of the Listed Ascot Handicap 1,000m at Eagle Farm on 19 April before the wide barrier and big weight took their tolls.

Third run back from a spell, Spacewalk will strip fitter and has one win and a placing from two starts in heavy ground.

Improving juvenile Green Spaces will also represent the stable at Gosford when he lines up in the 2YO Handicap over 1,200m with Rachel King to ride.

The recent Geelong restricted-class winner could earn himself a trip to Brisbane with a good performance.

Pinito will be Cummings’ only runner in Queensland this weekend when she lines up against the three-year-old fillies in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet over 1,800m.

A model of consistency with one win and eight placings from her nine race starts.

The flashy chestnut ran minor placings at Canterbury, Newcastle and Warwick Farm before storming home for second behind Philia in the Listed Princess Stakes over 1,600m at Eagle Farm two weeks ago.

With the in-form Jason Collett taking the reins, the daughter of Trapeze Artist looks suited by the 1,800m and can’t be any fitter.