A giant in stature with a heart to match, Stratum's son Takedown loves nothing more than eyeballing his opposition and Saturday's $1 million Group 1 Crown Perth-Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) played to his strengths.
With regular rider Tim Clark in the saddle, the Gary Moore trainee kept the front-running
Sheidel in his sights down the Ascot straight. While the super-consistent daughter of Holy Roman Emperor stubbornly refused to yield an inch, Takedown was not to be denied.
Carrying the Widden Stud silks, Takedown defeated
Sheidel by a long-head with local hope Rock Magic (Redoute's Choice) a half-length back in third. (photo Steve Hart)
"My first Group One in Australia," Moore told Sky Thoroughbred Central. "It was worth it.
"I knew that he was right there. Body weight, feed intake, coat, and we had a jockey riding better than George Moore."
Moore indicated that Takedown will likely head to Hong Kong for the sprint on International Stakes day.
In earning his sixth stakes win and the first at the elite level, Takedown advances his record to 7 wins, 3 seconds and 3 thirds from 20 starts with earnings of $1,455,000.
"What a great buzz," Clark said. "Coming over here and riding a Group One for Gary. We're going to see some exciting scenes when I get back to scale.
"He's such a tough honest horse. He gives his all. Olly's horse (
Sheidel) travelled a bit better than me, a bit sharper and sprinted and got half a length on me at the top of the straight but I knew my bloke was going to be strong late.
"He really dug in for me and that's what he does. He's so honest. What a great thrill."
Retained to race by his breeders Widden Stud and Robert Anderson, Takedown is one of three winners for stakes-placed Zafonic mare Apamea (GB) a winner in Adelaide who was stakes-placed in France.
A daughter of the Listed Newbury Rose Bowl stakes winner Angelina Ballerina, Apamea (GB) has had a difficult time of it of late. She has not had a live foal since producing the unraced 3yo Redoute's Choice filly Orontes.
Takedown becomes the fifth Group 1 winner for Golden Slipper winner Stratum (photo Mark Smith) who died of a heart attack at Widden Stud on September 13.
