In the week when Golden Slipper winner Stratum was laid to rest at Widden Stud, Stratum's son Takedown carried the Widden colours to victory in Saturday's Group II Bowermans Office Furniture The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick.
Caught three deep early under Tim Clark as the speedy Ball Of Muscle cut out the early sectionals, Takedown refused to yield in a busy finish, gradually wearing down the Joe Pride-trained Ball Of Muscle (Dubawi) by a long-head with a short half-head back to Hawkes Racing's Kaepernick (Fastnet Rock) in third. (photos Steve Hart).
In earning his fourth stakes win, the imposing son of Stratum advances his record to 5 wins, 2 seconds and 3 thirds from 16 starts with earnings of $625,300.
An exuberant trainer Gary Moore ran onto the track to greet Clark as he came back to scale.
"He's a wonderful animal, it's a great thrill,” Moore said.
"He was fine tuned for the day, his body weight was perfect.
"He'll go to the Premiere Stakes now then I'll take him down to Melbourne.”
Winning rider Tim Clark has formed a close association with the 4yo gelding having won the Group III Gold Coast Guineas in May.
"He's a big boy, lovely quiet horse,” he said. "He's a pleasure to do anything with and is just the complete race horse.
"He is all heart and credit to Gary (Moore) he has done a terrific job with this horse.
"It's just great to ride a big winner for him because he has been a great supporter of mine, he'll be wrapped.”
Retained to race by his breeders Widden Stud and Robert Anderson, Takedown is the best of three winners for stakes-placed Zafonic mare Apamea (GB), who has not had a live foal since producing the unraced 3yo Redoute's Choice filly Orontes.
Stratum (Redoute's Choice). died after suffering a heart attack in his paddock at Widden Stud on Tuesday.
