Takedown jumps into action for Filante

Trainer Gary Moore is hoping jumping a few obstacles will benefit Takedown ahead of his next race.

Negotiating an obstacle course for the first time is designed to put a spring in one-time Everest hopeful Takedown’s step.

Gary Moore has turned to putting the Group One-winning sprinter over jumps to vary his training routine before Saturday’s Filante Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.

Takedown was sent to Limitless Lodge near Wyong after an underwhelming run in the Listed Sydney Stakes (1200m), the Everest Consolation at Randwick last Saturday week.

That unplaced finish prompted the Rosehill trainer to keep Takedown in Sydney rather than go to Moonee Valley for Friday’s Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m).

Moore said jockey Tim Clark recommended Takedown step up in distance after he finished five lengths behind Sydney Stakes winner In Her Time, the second favourite for the Manikato.

“I was slightly disappointed so I’ve sent him to the farm to do some jumping,” Moore said.

“It’s a change of environment for three or four days and hopefully that will do the trick.”

Moore still intends to take Takedown to Melbourne for the Group Three Chatham Stakes (1400m) on November 9 before his defence of the Group One Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) in Perth on December 2.

The Filante Handicap was the only suitable lead-up race for the Chatham Stakes and promises to be a competitive race after a full field of 16 was declared on Wednesday.

Moore said he had already worked on Takedown’s diet and the jumps routine was another tactic to try to replicate his form of a year ago.

“Trainers are inclined to use these ideas just to try and turn the horse’s mind around,” he said.

“He’ll be using different muscles and he’ll have to use his mind a little bit more now because he hasn’t done it.”

Moore also took Takedown to Melbourne last spring for the Moonga Stakes and Paris Stakes before heading to Western Australia.

Winning back-to-back Winterbottom Stakes became the focus for Moore after the five-year-old missed a slot in the inaugural $10 million Everest.

Takedown has top weight of 63kg in the Filante Stakes but Moore has lessened that load by booking apprentice Lee Magorrian.

The Irishman can claim 3kg and is in form after notching his first city double at Randwick last Saturday..

“Lee rides well. He’s great value with the claim and he looked good on his winners at the weekend,” Moore said.