Tough for Takedown to defend The Shorts

Gary Moore admits it will be hard for Takedown to win The Shorts for a second time.

Gary Moore concedes it is going to be difficult for Takedown to post successive wins in The Shorts when the sprinter starts his spring campaign at Randwick.

Twelve months ago Takedown returned from a spell in style, winning the 1100m Group Two race.

That result launched an impressive preparation that also included a win in the Group Two Premiere Stakes and victory in the Group One Winterbottom Stakes in Perth.

Moore also has the Premiere Stakes (1200m) pencilled in again and believes that race is more achievable given Saturday’s scamper has attracted a high-quality field.

Takedown last raced in the Group One Doomben 10,000 in May where finished seventh behind Redzel.

The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Redzel, who was named as the James Harron Bloodstock representative in The Everest on Tuesday, was the $.290 favourite for The Shorts with the TAB after the nine-strong field was confirmed on Wednesday.

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Everest favourite Chautauqua, a three-time TJ Smith Stakes winner, also resumes as does fellow Everest runners English and Fell Swoop.

“Redzel is race fit, it’ll be very hard to win The Shorts again this year,” Moore said.

“I’m not saying Takedown’s in the same form as what he was when he won this race last year but he’s not far away.”

Moore, hasn’t given up on getting Takedown into The Everest.

“If he does well he might get a call-up. There’s still a long way to go, a lot can happen between now and the race,” Moore said.

Moore also has Classic Uniform, who has run three seconds in a row including the Listed Winter Stakes and Premier’s Cup, in the Group Three Kingston Town Stakes (2000m).

“He’s been a model of consistency but he’s going up in grade now,” Moore said.