Twelve months ago trainer Shaun Dwyer bypassed the Sydney Cup with Anudjawun because he felt the gelding wasn’t ready.
It’s a different story this time around with Dwyer confident the six-year-old is spot-on for Saturday’s 3200-metre stamina test at Randwick.
“The option was there for the Sydney Cup last year. I know he was a five-year-old but he just wasn’t quite there,” Dwyer said.
“He was lighter than he is now and not quite as mature.
“He’s spelled well and he’s come back and there will be no excuses. I’m really happy with the way the horse has come through the last fortnight.
“His two last gallops have probably been the two best gallops of his life.”
Anudjawun was runner-up in last year’s Chairman’s Quality when Dwyer decided to spell him.
He finished fourth to Sydney Cup favourite Permit in this year’s edition, coming from near last early to close strongly.
Admittedly, his strike rate is poor. Anudjawun has 11 minor placings from 24 starts and just one win – in a 1400m maiden.
But if he has been a heartbreaker for punters, spare a thought for connections.
“I’ve thought and thought about it,” Dwyer said.
“This horse has had a reputation of being a promising horse and now he’s a dog or a cat or whatever.
“He’s very unlucky not to have four wins to his credit.
“He was just collared one day at Caulfield by Base who got up on his inside and he didn’t see him coming.
“King Diamond beat him one day at Flemington by a very small margin when he got held up in running. Even this time in in the Bendigo Golden Mile he got hung up in traffic and flew the last bit.
“He’s no superstar but he’s a very genuine horse. If he’d had luck in those three he’s four from 24.
“Glen Boss got off him and said he’s one of the kindest horses he’s ever ridden and he just tries the whole way.”
Dwyer was formerly based in Queensland before relocating to Bendigo in Victoria three years ago.
But he is no stranger to success in Sydney and has won stakes races with the likes of Regimental Gal, Crianca, Don’t Tell Clang and Just Polite.
If Anudjawun can add to that haul, a Melbourne Cup campaign could be on the agenda.
“Ultimately we’d love to run him at some stage in the Melbourne Cup but if he can’t race well in this one he ain’t going to race well in one of them,” Dwyer said.
TAB Sportsbet has Anudjawun at $16 with Permit heading markets at $3.50.
