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A fairytale that puts Janiak on racing map
JOE Janiak is almost unique among taxi drivers. He prefers to keep his opinions to himself.
Will Takeover Target, the rags-to-riches sprinter that he trains in Australia, prevail at Newmarket's Darley July Cup – part of the Global Sprint Challenge – after a minor training setback saw him miss Royal Ascot?
"We'll see," he tells the Yorkshire Post.
What's your message to those trainers, such as Middleham's Mark Johnston, who say the injury-plagued horse has previously been given a banned substance to assist his travelling?
"So?" says Janiak.
What's his reaction to reports that he is to be played by Hollywood hero, Russell Crowe, in a film depicting his remarkable love affair with his horse?
"Not a movie fan," replies Janiak who owns and trains the equine superstar from Down Under.
Is Takeover Target's presence in the UK, and the Ascot success of his compatriot Scenic Blast, the opening salvo from Australia in a sporting summer which will culminate in the forthcoming Test series for the Ashes?
"Don't follow it. Have England a team?" asks the trainer politely.
Conformity has never been Joe Janiak's strongest suit.
When Takeover Target won the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2006, he marched into the winner's enclosure in his trademark striped shirt and jeans.
What did Royal Ascot, and other prestigious meetings like Newmarket's July fixture, mean to you as you grew up in Australia?
"Never knew about it until I had a good enough horse."
It would be easy to knock Janiak for his non-commital answers.
But it negates the fact that he's revered Down Under for his accomplishments on the racetrack that have drawn parallels with the Australian equine hero Phar Lap and Seabiscuit's success in the United States – the subject of award-winning books and movies.
And, given the extent to which Australia's swimmers flopped at last summer's Olympics, and the scepticism that continues to surround Ricky Ponting's cricketers, it is Janiak – this most unlikely of racehorse trainers – who finds himself in the spotlight, with a whole continent staying up late into the night to watch Takeover Target's global exploits.
Of Polish descent, Janiak purchased Takeover Target as a crocked four-year-old while working as a part-time taxi driver, who helped to train horses on the side, near Canberra. His home was once a caravan with a flat tyre.
Bought for 500, even Janiak acceped that he had made a "bad decision" when a vet told him that his new purchase would never race again because of a succession of leg injuries.
"The vet just said 'keep your fingers crossed'," said Janiak. "I've been doing so ever since."
Two years later, horse and trainer were victorious at Royal Ascot – and have been regular fixtures at the meeting ever since until the horse was reported to be "under the weather" 24 hours prior to his intended race earlier this month.
But the 10-year-old jet-set sprinter, who has now amassed prize money worth 2.5m, has always been the subject of controversy.
Some say it is jealousy; others suggest that Janiak has flouted the rules of racing.
The enmity stems from an incident in late 2006, after the Ascot victory, when Takeover Target was prevented from running in Hong Kong after testing positive for a steriod called HPC.
Janiak says he used the steroid to help his charge recover from the effects of being transported long distances; that it was recommended by his vet and that there was no racing advantage.
Those who have sought to disagree include Middleham trainer Johnston who, at one point, claimed he would have had his licence withdrawn by the UK racing authorities if he had committed a similar act. "So?" said Janiak, again not willing to enter a discussion.
The white-faced charge is, according to the trainer, on the road to recovery.
His recent below-par performance in Singapore was, says Janiak, attributable to the horse having the wrong shoes, and being kept in isolation prior to the race. "He loves company."
Takeover Target's one prior attempt at the July Cup ended in disappointment in 2006 when he was seventh to Les Arcs who was trained at Bawtry by Tim Pitt.
"What will it mean if Takeover Target wins the July Cup?" .
"Everything – it's what we're here for."
Spoken like a true Aussie.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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