Colourful trainer Gary Moore has ambitious plans to run the stable’s in-form sprinter and Premiere Stakes 2016 winner Takedown on Melbourne Cup Day before a trip to Hong Kong this December.

Takedown (purple cap) bobbed his head to win the Group 2 Premiere Stakes at Randwick this afternoon. Photo: Steve Hart

The flying four-year-old son of Stratum was impressive late at Royal Randwick on Epsom Handicap Day posting back-to-back wins this prep in the $300,000 Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) in Sydney.

Takedown came off a first-up run at the track a fortnight ago in the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) and stepped up again for the Premiere Stakes success with Blake Shinn taking over for Tim Clark in the saddle.

Howmuchdoyouloveme went forward on the rails to lead the Premiere Stakes field around, while eventual last-past-the-post Smart Volatility tracked in second.

Shinn had Takedown settled perfectly in third just ahead of Good Project, while the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained favourite English raced third last throughout.

Takedown got a carefree run in third just ahead of the returning Team Hawkes-trained eight-year-old Our Boy Malachi who was racing deep in fourth off the speed.

Around the bend Takedown went straight up along the rails going up to hit the front on the straight in a three-way battle between the eventual winner, Our Boy Malachi up on the outside and the consistent Kris Lees-trained mare Danish Twist.

Takedown ($7) got his nose down at the right time and held off Our Boy Malachi ($8.50), who loomed late like he was going to win in an outstanding effort first-up, by a narrow margin in a fighting finish that saw Danish Twist ($13) hold for third and finish off the Premiere Stakes trifecta.

“It’s really to ride a winner for him [Gary Moore] today on such a big occasion,” winning jockey Shinn said post-race.

“This horse was really brave and when the chips were down he fought hard.

“It was a hot race…these aren’t easy horses to beat.

“Gary’s done a remarkable job taking this horse to another level each time he steps out.”

Moore was thrilled with the Premiere Stakes result and said next-up plans were to run Takedown down the Flemington straight on Melbourne Cup Day, November 1, likely in the $100,000 Listed Lavazza Prontissimo (1400m).

He would then look to convince connections to send the horse to Hong Kong in December for a run on International Race Day in the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin.

“I’m so lucky to have such a great horse,” Moore said.

“He could be one of the best sprinters in Australia the way he’s going.

“I wish they would give us a chance to take him to Hong Kong and run him in the Sprint.

“Let’s do Melbourne first…a win on Melbourne Cup Day would be great.”

For the best Melbourne Cup Day odds on Takedown and access to early 2016 Hong Kong Sprint markets overseas ahead of the summer clash head to Ladbrokes.com.au now!

2016 Premiere Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Randwick Race 9 – 01/10/2016