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By Brad Gray

Gary Moore believes his sprinter Takedown has what it takes to claim the mantle as the best sprinter in the country ahead of his return in Saturday’s TAB Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.

“He could be the one. Most of the better sprinters have been retired to stud or they haven’t come up. You’ve obviously still got the champ there in Chautauqua,” Moore said.

“He is only four and not an old boy. He has youth on his side.”

Takedown won The Shorts first-up last campaign (Steve Hart)

Takedown, who was last seen in the Hong Kong Sprint in December, has filled out in his spell and although Moore expects him to be in the money somewhere, he does have a slight reservation about the task at hand.

“I expect him to be in the first three. You can’t leave him out. He is going to get the perfect trail behind Redzel.”

“The hindrance for us is if the track was to come up very soft and 1200m first-up with 60kg but he has had a good spell and looks great. He’s well-muscled and I expect him to run well.

“He was very impressive in his trial and Blake Shinn, who has won on him, said he felt fantastic.

“We’ll run on Saturday and then he’ll head to Brisbane. He’ll spell after Queensland and hopefully someone with a slot will take him on for The Everest.”

Takedown's Rosehill trial - March 30

Meanwhile, Kunming jumps from provincial maiden company to the Group Three Frank Packer Plate (2000m) with Moore considering Queensland targets for the three-year-old.

“I’ve thrown him in the deep end but I wanted to try him at this level. He loves soft ground and the distance shouldn’t be an issue,” Moore said.

“He is a half-brother to Magicool who won the Queensland Derby and beat Werther. He has just taken a while to grow into himself.”

Check out the fields for Randwick on Saturday