Takeover Target will return to Australia without another start in England
Trainer Joe Janiak confirmed that x-rays had revealed a slight tendon tear with the gelding's future to be determined once he is back in Australia.
Janiak believes it may not be a career-ending injury although he is uner mounting presure to retire the rising nine-year-old.
Concern for Takeover Target emerged after he finished fourth in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last Saturday.
His jockey Jay Ford reported the eight-year-old did not stretch out as he exepcted in the final furlong with Janiak immediately suspecting a leg problem.
“He's got a slight tear in his suspensory ligament,” Janiak reported.
"We're pulling up stumps and going home. It's only a minor problem but it could have ended him."
Janiak said he was disappointed that Takeover Target will not get one more shot at a Group One race in England in the July Cup at Newmarket.
In three trips since 2006 Takeover Target never finihed worse than fourth in seven starts.
