TAKADUM enjoyed a steady pace set by free-striding Echohawk in a MR87 handicap over 1700m on turf at the Vaal on Saturday. He handled the rise in class with an eye-catching 3.50-length win over Great Smokey.

Echohawk went six lengths clear as they turned for home and Great Smokey was the first to set sail after him, but Anthony Delpech kept the front pair in his sights and when he let out some rein with 4o0m to run, it was all over as a contest as his mount drew clear effortlessly.

Takadum is a three-year-old gelding by Strike Smartly from Strelitzia, a five-time winning mare who also raced for the De Kock stable back in 1999-2000, when she placed in the Fillies Guineas and the Fillies Classic.

Takadum, who hasn’t missed the money in five starts, provided owner Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum with another winner.