Takedbown has justified his clear favouritism on the Gold Coast this afternoon; withstanding an impressive late charge by Queenslander Sold For Song to win the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m).
Takedown withstood a late charge by Sold For Song to win the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas this afternoon. Photo: Daniel Costello
Jumping from the gates well in the Gold Coast Guineas, Takedown used his ideal draw to his advantage and immediately took up the running; setting a fair tempo for the classy field alongside the likes of Uno Best and Redsson.
Offered a clear racing line upon arriving at the final straight, Takedown pulled clear and appeared to have the race completely sewn-up but was in fact lucky to withstand a huge late charge from Sold For Song, who made up a huge amount of ground in the final 100m to hit the line only half a length off the pace.
Trainer Gary Moore was understandably thrilled with Takedown’s win in the Gold Coast Guineas and revealed the horse will now be set for the Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1350m) on Doomben 10,000 Day; a race which offers its winner ballot-free entry into the Stradbroke Handicap.
“It was very exciting, he’s a great horse and has been fantastic for the stable,” Moore said.
“He’ll now go onto the Fred Best, and there’s still improvement in him.
“I’d like to thank my son David, he’s done a marvellous job over the past ten day with him.
“I think the 1350m will suit him, because he will be able to dominate from the lead but will travel a bit easier than today.
“Hopefully we can win that because then we’ll be exempt for the Stradbroke!
“He’s got a very big stride and I’d like to thank Widden, I’m just very grateful.
“He had a throat op in November, isn’t making any noise and as you saw today, he was very dominant.”
In winning the 2016 Gold Coast Guineas, Takedown has now posted four wins and as many minors through only thirteen career starts.
2016 Gold Coast Guineas Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | TAKEDOWN | Gary Moore | Tim Clark | – | 5 | 57kg | $2.80 |
| 2 | 13 | SOLD FOR SONG | Kevin Kemp | Luke Dittman (a) | 0.3L | 15 | 55kg | $18 |
| 3 | 10 | ALWAYS SACRED | Toby Edmonds | Jeff Lloyd | 2.5L | 8 | 57kg | $17 |
| 4 | 3 | CRAIGLEA WANDOO | Krystle Johnston | Anthony Allen | 2.8L | 14 | 57kg | $61 |
| 5 | 16 | BRIGADOON RISE | Peter & Paul Snowden | Blake Shinn | 3L | 4 | 55kg | $12 |
| 6 | 20e | THE VIRGINIAN | Toby Edmonds | James Orman (a) | 3.3L | 13 | 57kg | $18 |
| 7 | 12 | BLUEBERRY HILL | Liam Birchley | Michael Cahill | 4.1L | 9 | 55kg | $21 |
| 8 | 5 | PRIVLAKA | Robert Heathcote | Glen Colless | 4.1L | 3 | 57kg | $18 |
| 9 | 2 | BIG TREE | Peter Balzen | Paul Hammersley | 4.2L | 11 | 57kg | $18 |
| 10 | 8 | PERFECT DARE | Matthew Dunn | Jim Byrne | 4.6L | 12 | 57kg | $26 |
| 11 | 15 | HESITATION | Kelso Wood | James McDonald | 5.6L | 16 | 55kg | $26 |
| 12 | 4 | SANTA ANA LANE | Lee & Anthony Freedman | Damian Browne | 6.4L | 2 | 57kg | $2.70F |
| 13 | 17e | WINNING ACCORD | Bruce W Hill | Luke Rolls | 7.4L | 10 | 57kg | $101 |
| 14 | 6 | IN HIS STRIDE | Rex Lipp | Brad Pengelly | 7.5L | 7 | 57kg | $41 |
| 15 | 7 | REDSSON | Bruce W Hill | Jason Collett | 7.8L | 1 | 57kg | $101 |
| 16 | 18e | UNO BEST | Paul Facoory | Robbie Fradd | 10.8L | 6 | 57kg | $31 |
