Moore confident despite Takedown's difficult trip

Australian sprinter Takedown was invited to take part in the Sprint only after Profitable's withdrawal but his trainer, the colourful Gary Moore, sways between confident and convinced that his once overlooked four-year-old will win.

Moore (no, not Ryan's sire, from the other Moore dynasty) is the son of legendary Australian jockey-turned-trainer George and younger brother of Hong Kong doyen John. Now training in Sydney, he knows what it takes to win in Hong Kong, having been champion jockey there on seven occasions.

Since acquiring his invite Takedown has elevated himself to Group 1-winner status in the Winterbottom Stakes at Perth's Ascot racecourse, Moore's first top-level success in Australia as a trainer. In the immediate aftermath Moore was reported by the Sydney Morning Herald as stating, beer in hand, that "they won't beat him in Hong Kong".