3 minute read

Day 2 of the Masters was held at Ascot on Saturday though you could forgive yourself for feeling like you were at golf's infamous "party hole" following Takedown's success in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes.

The Phoenix Open's "party hole" boasts many highlights over the years, though few rivalled the scenes at Ascot on Saturday.

For trainer Gary Moore it was his first Australian Group 1 and he proceeded to celebrate accordingly.

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— Andrew Price (@pricey43) 26 November 2016

Now a stakes winner at two, three and four, Takedown has been a revelation since undergoing a throat operation at the beginning of the year.

In 11 starts since, Takedown has won four times and has only missed the money on three occasions.

A somewhat surprise winner first up in the Group 2 The Shorts [1100m], Takedown quickly franked that performance when a narrow victor in Sydney's premier Spring sprint, the Group 2 Premiere Stakes [1200m].

Sent south, Takedown was solid in two subsequent performances having been unlucky behind Voodoo Lad at Caulfield before a close fifth behind Rageese.

Dropping back to 1200m on Saturday (arguably his best trip), Takedown proved too strong in what was another masterful ride from jockey Tim Clark.

Bustled forward early to sit outside the lead, Takedown always travelled well for Clark and while taking a while to get there, he asserted his authority late.

Although only a narrow margin, Takedown always appeared in control, much to the delight of his trainer Gary Moore.

The Hayes and Dabernig trained Sheidel continued her affinity with the Ascot track, finishing a game second with local star Rock Magic finishing third.

Takedown's performance saw him return a Timeform rating of 119, the same figure returned by Buffering in the 2015 Winterbottom Stakes.

Rated one pound above the five-year winning average, Takedown now sets his sights on the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint.

One of the key highlights on the racing world calendar, the Hong Kong Sprint boasts a very impressive honour roll, headed by Japanese sprinter Lord Kanaloa who won the event in 2012 and 2013.

Last year local galloper Peniaphobia returned a Timeform rating of 126 when just edging out Gold Fun, though this year's edition isn't shaping as a similarly strong event.

Japanese sprinters Red Falx and Big Arthur create plenty of interest along with local contenders Lucky Bubbles, Aerovelocity and Amazing Kids.

All five gallopers possesses higher peak ratings than Takedown, though at his best he is certainly capable of making his presence felt.

The Listed Tattersall's Cup [2100m] saw an unlikely winner on Saturday when Respondent broke a very long winning drought (959 days) in the sixth event.

Now under the care of Fred Kersley, Respondent certainly wound back the clock when narrowly edging out Dark Alert in the shadows of the post.

The 2014 W.A.T.C. Derby [2400m] winner, Respondent would have to wait 27 starts before posting his next success, though admittedly he had run a number of good races in-between.

Ridden patiently by Chris Parnham, Respondent really attacked the line when clearly relishing the step up to 2100m.

His performance saw him return a Timeform rating of 103 which is six pounds above the winning average in what appears a more than up to scratch Tattersall's Cup.

Consistency has troubled the six-year-old throughout his career, though in just his third start for Kersley he appears back on track.

The Group 2 Perth Cup [2400m] now appears a logical target for the six-year-old, a race won famously by star mare Delicacy last year.