Up-and-coming sprinter Taken is set for his toughest test yet when he lines up in The Supernova at Pakenham on Saturday.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained gelding will be chasing a sixth consecutive win in Southside Racing’s second slot race.
He faces a significant rise in class, taking on established Group 1 performers Here To Shock and Private Eye over 1400 metres.
“It will be hard to beat Here To Shock and Private Eye at the weight scale, but we’ve got a progressive horse, and I know for one thing, he is a winner,” Kent Jnr said.
“He’s yet to miss a place in 10 starts, five wins and five placings, so he doesn’t like losing.”
Taken resumed with a strong benchmark 84 win at Caulfield on November 15 with Ethan Brown aboard.
Kent Jnr said sticking to 1400 metres second-up presented challenges, but part-owner Carl Holt’s slot made the decision straightforward.
“We do think his best trip is a mile and Ethan thinks he may even get further,” Kent Jnr said.
“He’s nice and fresh to stay at the 1400 (metres) and Pakenham is a beautiful track for him.”
Kent Jnr said Taken’s ceiling remained unknown after progressing steadily through the grades.