By Erin Free & Russ Jackson
WHAT’S IT ABOUT? The world of Australian horse racing is filled with great stories, from the triumphs of Phar Lap and the embarrassment of the Fine Cotton scandal, through to the bittersweet tale of jockey Damien Oliver and the extraordinary success story of late horse trainer, Bart Cummings. One of the most turbulent and uplifting, however, is that of Joe Janiak. A part time horse trainer and full time Canberra cabbie, Janiak was flat-and-busted and living in a caravan when he took a gamble that would change his life. Attending a dispersal sale – namely a sell-off of horses that nobody wants – Janiak spotted a nag called Takeover Target. The horse was headstrong and difficult, and had suffered several injuries, resulting in multiple surgeries. In short, Takeover Target was a write-off. Janiak, however, sensed that there was a big heart beating inside this unwanted gelding. With literally his last dollar, the gutsy cab driver paid $1,375 for Takeover Target, who responded by rearing on his new owner, resulting in thirty stitches in Janiak’s head. Assuming that he’d blown his money, Janiak put Takeover Target in a paddock for a few months, but the horse came good, eventually going on to amass an astounding five million dollars-plus in prize money. Takeover Target has raced all over the world, making Joe Janiak a very wealthy and influential man. His dream story was only tarnished when Takeover Target tested positive for minute traces of steroids in 2006.
WHY WOULD IT MAKE A GOOD MOVIE? This is an archetypal rags-to-riches tale, with rough-and-tumble Joe Janiak taking his underdog horse to England, where he beat far more fancied rivals to take out several of The Old Dart’s major races. Also, Janiak trained Takeover Target with his two sons, Ben and Scott, giving the story a warm family glow, while the steroid scandal provides a little darkness. In short, this could be Australia’s Seabiscuit.
WHO SHOULD MAKE IT? Though a master at telling local crime tales (Dirty Deeds, Idiot Box), writer/director David Caesar also has a strong sense for reflective drama (Mullet) and genuine quirkiness (Greenkeeping). He’s a distinctly, powerfully Australian voice, and would be guaranteed to keep this story tough and honest, while maintaining its uplifting beats and inherent warmth.
WHO SHOULD BE IN IT? Nobody plays an Aussie battler better than Bryan Brown, and while he might not look too much like Joe Janiak, he could certainly capture all of this knockabout rogue’s humour, gutsiness and quiet determination. Brown is also good at finding the flaws behind the masculine veneer, however, and could effectively tap into Janiak’s desperation as well. The other major players in this story are Joe’s sons, Ben and Scott. Rising star, Luke Bracey (Point Break, Hacksaw Ridge), would be a solid pick as brickie’s-labourer-turned-horse-trainer Ben, while Rhys Wakefield (The Black Balloon) would be good as the quieter Scott. Also in the mix is plucky jockey, Jay Ford, who rode Takeover Target to most of his wins. The wiry insouciance of brilliant young actor Tom Budge (Australian Rules, Ten Empty, Kokoda) would be just right.
You’ve absolutely hit the nail on the head here. I think the idea of a movie on Michelle Payne as the first winning jockey is nice, but this would be a much more dramatic and engaging film with Australian character. Kudos to picking Bryan brown as Joe Janiak and I know Tom budge personally and you found the perfect jockey!
I could be the trackwork rider