Australian head trainer James Cummings predicted Anamoe arrived at Royal Randwick on Saturday in ‘dangerously good condition’ and the Godolphin superstar didn’t let him down with an emphatic victory in the 1400m Group 2 Apollo Stakes. On his first start since finishing fourth in the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington last spring, Anamoe reasserted his ‘weight for age’ dominance after a perfect James McDonald ride, beating Hinged and Fangirl, notching Stakes win number 12 in the process.
The homebred 4yo Street Boss colt is on a short autumn carnival path and could finish his racetrack career at Royal Ascot in June. Cummings was delighted with the performance and predicts the winner of seven Group Ones would be better for the outing when he returns to Randwick for the 1600m Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes.
BETTER WITH AGE
“What a player, he just comes back better again, a more mature horse,” Cummings said. “And James McDonald made it look absolutely painless. “It’s great to have the big horse back and there’s a lot we can look forward to. We thought he was dangerously well and he’s had a great week and everything has gone right.” McDonald could only watch on as stablemate In Secret returned to action with a win in the 1200m Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes over 1200m.
McDonald rode the 3yo I Am Invincible filly to victory in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington in late October but was booked to ride Chris Waller’s Zougotcha here but she was scratched.
NASH HIGH ON CONFIDENCE
Nash Rawiller stepped up and rode In Secret patiently, after a horror start, to beat Sunshine In Paris and Cinderella Days. “Nash was well prepared, he trialled her,” Cummings said. “He was on a filly and he had a lot of confidence in the horse. “I think it’s a good comeback and she can keep improving.” Meanwhile, at Sandown in Melbourne, a Cummings juvenile duo sealed their starts in the 1200m Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes.
Unbeaten youngster Barber, under Jamie Kah, again showed strength and resolve in winning the 1100m Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude for colts and geldings. Stablemate Exploring was beautifully settled in front by Craig Williams before winning the Group Two fillies’ equivalent.
