Gary Moore received one of the best birthday presents a racehorse trainer could imagine when Takedown won the Black Opal Stakes at Canberra on Sunday.

Moore, the son of legendary jockey George Moore, returned to Australia at the start of the season to train out of Rosehill after more than a decade dominating the racing scene in Macau.

"It's Dad's birthday so this will be a great thrill for him," the trainer's son Nick Moore said.

The victory also promises to be a timely boost for the trainer who, despite turning 63, is still making serious plans for the future.

That's why he left Black Opal duties to his son while he was inspecting yearlings to be sold in Adelaide during the week.

Ridden by Jay Ford, the jockey who found fame on Takeover Target, Takedown ($9) made all the running in the Black Opal to beat Single Gaze ($4.20) by a length with the favourite Antelucan ($2.90) 2-1/2 lengths away third.

Whether the Black Opal is a relevant guide to the Golden Slipper remains to be seen because Takedown is not entered for the $3.5 million race and Single Gaze's trainer Nick Olive immediately ruled out running the filly.

"Everybody has been asking me if there's a chance we could pay the late entry for the Slipper but it's a question I can't answer," Moore Jr said.

"What I do know is that he's an unbelievable horse because he's done everything in one preparation, pretty much."

Takedown was soundly beaten at his first start when taken to the NSW provincial circuit but out of the race has come the Golden Slipper second favourite Exosphere and now the Black Opal winner.

Ford found himself back in racing's big time with his Black Opal win coming after he landed the Canberra Guineas on Rom Baro.

"I have been given some opportunities from Gary since he's been back so it's nice to be part of a big win for the stable," Ford said.

"The horse has come a long way since I rode him in a barrier trial a few weeks ago and he got beaten ten lengths."

Olive said Single Gaze ran right up to her Magic Millions placing at the start of the year.

"I'm really proud of her because she's had some tough runs in her career but she's had the hide to run on after having them," he said.

BLACK OPAL WINNERS IN GOLDEN SLIPPER SINCE CATBIRD'S 1999 DOUBLE

* 2000 - Pembleton (did not run)

* 2001 - Coral Salute (15th)

* 2002 - Planchet (4th)

* 2003 - Handsome Ransom (did not run)

* 2004 - Uber (12th)

* 2005 - Al Samer (9th)

* 2006 - Down The Wicket (6th)

* 2007 - Race not run

* 2008 - Sarthemare (did not run)

* 2009 - Delago Bolt (9th)

* 2010 - Decision Time (2nd to Crystal Lily)

* 2011 - You're Canny (did not run)

* 2012 - Epaulette (last)

* 2013 - Criterion (6th)

* 2014 - Lucky Racquie (did not run)