Take The Rap looks to take the TAB Federal

Talented three-year-old Take The Rap will enjoy a nice drop in class when he tackles Wednesday’s TAB Federal (1000m) at Thoroughbred Park. 

The Norm Gardner-trained gelding was far from disgraced in the Listed Fireball Stakes (1100m) a fortnight ago finishing 6th of 7, just 4.46 lengths behind the winner Enriched, who subsequently finished second behind superstar filly Autumn Glow last Saturday. 

“I thought that was a super run.” Trainer Norm Gardner said. “He was cleaned up at the start and was fired up the entire run.

“That was over 1100m where he was right in it until about the 150 mark, so I think this is a nice race for him here on his home track.”

“At this stage of his career I think the 1000m is his go.”

Take The Rap has amassed a strong record early in his career, having won four of his eight starts to date. 

“He is certainly going good.” Gardner said. “He’ll jump from near the widest (barrier 8 of 9) so we’ll look to get him some cover early.”

“There is certainly enough speed in the race with Major Time (Gratz Vella) and Starlight Girl (Matthew Kelley), so hopefully we can finish over the top of them late.”

The race is shaping as a great contest with Keith Dryden & Libby Snowden’s veteran Fangela exploding back into form last start on John McGrath Auto Group Black Opal Stakes Day with a strong win in the Airconditioning Canberra Camarena (1000m), while stakes winner Loveshuck also resumes for Todd Smart. 

The TAB Federal (1000m) is Race 4 on tomorrow’s program and is due to jump at 3:51pm.