Former champion international jockey Gary Moore trained his first Group One success in Australia when Takedown toughed out a gritty finish to win the 2016 edition of the Crown Perth-Winterbottom Stakes (1200m).
Most would remember the post-race scenes of Moore running up and down the Randwick straight after the now Group One winner won The Group Two Shorts (1100m) and the Group Two Premiere Stakes (1200m).
Multiply those scenes and emotions by about 100 and that is what the 7,000 strong crowd at Ascot Racecourse experienced.
Takedown, the four-year-old son of Stratum, sat outside of the former West Australian mare Sheidel in the lead and fought out a hard finish with her.
Standing at nearly 17 hands high, Takedown towered over his opposition physically and then figuratively after beating all comers.
Takedown will now head to Hong Kong for the 2016 Hong Kong International Races series on Sunday 11 December where he will contest the Group One Hong Kong Sprint which will feature the best sprinters from all over the world.
Here is how all runners fared:
1. TERRAVISTA
Result: 10th
Terravista started favourite on the TABtouch tote but couldn’t justify his $3.60 price tag. He looked to jump slightly awkwardly and was then kept out three-wide by Jake Casey on Vega Magic. He did not seem to travel like a winner at any stage and when asked by Hugh Bowman to accelerate, he gave nothing and was beaten by over eight lengths. Hopefully hasn’t pulled up with an injury.
2. MALAGUERRA
Result: 5th
Malaguerra has been known to sweat up in the race preliminaries but before, in 37 degree heat, he was as calm and quiet as a church mouse. He jumped well from barrier one and got a lovely run behind the leader, Sheidel, but failed to finish off on what was arguably the inferior part of the track. He lost no admirers from his performance.
3. TAKEDOWN
Result: 1st
As mentioned above, Takedown sat outside Sheidel in the lead and they dueled it out for close finish. A remarkable training performance by Gary Moore, this was Takedown’s fifth run this preparation and back in distance after two runs at 1400m. According to Moore, the gelding’s weight of 616kg was his best racing weight, suggesting the massive horse was spot on for this race.
4. ROCK MAGIC
Result: 3rd
An unbelievable performance to run third considering that this gelding had a few mishaps leading up to this race. Incredible to think that Rock Magic continues to improve as a seven-year-old. He settled in the back half of the field before Jarrad Noske produced the son of Redoute's Choice to run an eye-catching race.
5. KEEN ARRAY
Result: 8th
Keen Array looked to half miss the start with Terravista and settled in the back half of the field. With the blinkers on first time and the slow tempo of the race, he got pulling on jockey Chris Parnham which didn’t help his chances. He loomed on straightening as if he could get into the race but faded in the last 100m. A fair run considering the way the race was run.
6. FIRST AMONG EQUALS
Result: 4th
After having had no luck this preparation, First Among Equals finally got clear running from barrier nine and hit the line well for fourth. He sat three-wide with cover at the tail of the field and followed Battle Hero, who was beaten a long way. With a bit more luck in running and following better horses, he may have gotten a sweeter cart up into the race and could have finished closer. A run full of merit.
7. BATTLE HERO
Result: 11th
After jumping cleanly, Battle Hero got into the three-wide line but looked to cop some buffeting in the middle stage which he may not have appreciated. Then before rounding the turn, he was effectively out of play and was well beaten. Hopefully he has pulled up without illness.
8. VEGA MAGIC
Result: 7th
For his first time in Group One company, Vega Magic acquitted himself very admirably after going down by 1.5 lengths. It was a wonderful ride from Jake Casey who held is position in the running line from barrier two which allowed him to not get too cluttered up and keep Terravista out three wide. He found the line well and will be one to watch moving forward.
9. REGAL COMMANDER
Result: 9th
Regal Commander is a galloper who had never placed at black type level from only three attempts before this race, with that in consideration, to be beaten only 5.5 lengths in a weight-for-age Group One, behind some very good thoroughbreds, is a remarkable effort. An easier race is around the corner for him.
10. STATE SOLICITOR
Result: 6th
Having his first start in black type company, State Solicitor went back to last and finished off like a rocket to finish sixth, beaten one length. He ran the fastest last 600m of the race and, on that, looks to have a very bright future. It is highly likely that we will see him in this same race next year where he will be a top contender.
11. SHEIDEL
Result: 2nd
After leading the field up under Damien Oliver, Sheidel returned to Ascot somewhat successfully after holding on to second in what was a determined performance. She sprung the gates and travelled beautifully in front and then when asked to go by Oliver, she responded but couldn’t hold off Takedown. Group One-placed once again and is sure to give her next Group One assignment a god shake.
12. MILITARY REIGN
Result: 12th
On her day, Military Reign is a lot better than what she showed here. She was uncharacteristically tardy out of the machine and was forced to race three-wide rather than push on to sit outside of Sheidel, which is where most form analysts had here in running. She was well beaten but hopefully she comes out of the race ok.
Thanks to all who joined us at Ascot Racecourse and to those who tuned in on Sky Racing and Sky Thoroughbred Central.
We hope you will join us for day three of the TABtouch Masters which will be headlined by the $1 million Group One Peters Investments-Kingston Town Classic (1800m).
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