Assistant trainer David Moore is sweating on a good barrier draw for Takedown in the Group 1 HK$18.5m Longines Hong Kong Sprint 1200m at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Takedown, above, is doing well in Hong Kong in the lead up to the Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin. Photo by Daniel Costello.
The all-important barrier for the International Sprint will be conducted on Thursday and will also have a big bearing in the market order at Ladbrokes.com.au.
“We just hope he gets a good gate later in the week,” Moore told Hong Kong Jockey Club News.
In early betting Takedown is listed as a $10 chance for the Hong Kong Sprint with Ladbrokes.com.au who have local sprinter Lucky Bubbles at the top of the market order at $3.60 ahead of the Japanese pair of Big Arthur at $5 and Red Falx at $7.50
The Gary Moore trained Takedown has pleased the stable since arriving in Hong Kong following his win in the Group 1 $1m Crown Perth-Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot in Perth on November 26.
“We really couldn’t be happier and we’ve got a horse who is on the up,” David Moore said.
“It’s unbelievable, he’s only four but he’s like a proper veteran and has travelled to Hong Kong really well.”
“Some horses lose a lot of weight in travelling but not him, and it helps that he loves eating!”
The Hong Kong Jockey Club issued Gary Moore with an invitation for the Hong Kong Sprint during the week leading up to the Winterbottom Stakes and the former top jockey was glad that Takedown was able to justify their faith in him.
’I’m not only feeling so happy for the horse, who really deserves this win, but also for the Hong Kong Jockey Club as they invited him over as a group 2 winner and now we’re going there a group 1 winner,” Gary Moore told racing.com.
‘’I’m going with plenty of confidence. I’m pretty sure I can beat the local sprinters and if we get a good draw, I think he can win.’’
The Gary Portelli trained Rebel Dane has also arrived safely in Hong Kong and will also represent Australian in the Hong Kong Sprint.
Rebel Dane was invited to run at Hong Kong’s rich International Race Day after scoring an upset win in the Group 1 $1m Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on October 21.
The Portelli camp have reported that Rebel Dane did lose some weight in the flight over to Hong Kong from Sydney but are confident that the veteran sprinter will make it up in a couple of days.
“He lost eight kilos on the way over but he cleaned up his feed bin and had a big drink which is a good sign,” Portelli said.
“Hopefully he puts it back on in the next few days.”
Market order for Hong Kong Sprint at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.60 Lucky Bubbles, $5 Big Arthur, $7.50 Red Falx, $9 Aerovelocity, $10 Not Listenin’tome, Takedown, $11 Amazing Kids, $17 Peniaphobia, Pure Sensation, $19 Rebel Dane, $21 Signs Of Blessing, $41 Strathmore, $51 Growl, Super Jockey.
