International sprint champion Takeover Target will not run in the Group One Telegraph Handicap in New Zealand.

Trainer Joe Janiak told the Wellington Racing Club (WRC) on Friday the globe-trotting nine-year-old would not be lining-up in the 1200-metre sprint at Trentham on January 17.

Janiak's decision to withdraw the drawcard galloper has been met with disappointment from WRC general manager David Jewell.

"I understand he was worried about his horse and the distance he would have to travel, from Auckland to Wellington," Jewell told NZPA.

"It would have been great to have him here and it's a huge blow for the club."

Earlier in the week everything appeared on track for Takeover Target to head to New Zealand after Janiak described his topweight of 61.5kg as fair.

Janiak said Takeover Target would now most likely have his next start in the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in April before campaigning in Singapore and then England.

However, there is still a strong possibility another Australian sprinter will compete.

The Anthony Cummings-trained Turffontein will have a barrier trial at Cranbourne on Tuesday with Cummings to make a final decision on the trip after that.

Glen Boss, who rode at the Auckland meeting at Ellerslie on Thursday, is expected to ride him in the trial.

With Takeover Target's withdrawal, weights for the Telegraph are likely to be lifted 0.5kg under the handicapping rules for the race.

This would make Bulginbaah the topweight with 57kg, while Turffontein and Mufhasa would rise to 55.5kg.

The New Zealand TAB, which had Takeover Target as a $2.50 favourite for the Telegraph, suspended betting on the race on Friday.

Turffontein 照跑..用 Boss 試 Trial :fff: :fff:

兼併目標只係照原先計劃..:tttt: :tttt: