An emotional James Cummings has declared Anamoe the horse to beat in whatever races he contests this spring after his grand return in a cracking renewal of the Group 1 Winx Stakes.
In winning the opening major of the spring, the Godolphin glamour became the first Australian entire since Show A Heart in 2000-01-02 to win Group 1 races at two, three and four.
Anamoe was given a lovely trail fourth on the fence by James Mcdonald but with no room to shift out, he was forced to make his run towards the inside in the straight, ground which had appeared inferior earlier in the program.
But it proved no issue for Anamoe ($2.50 fav), who exploded clear to beat the fast-finishing Fangirl ($6) by 1-3/4 lengths with Profondo ($15) a gutsy short head away third after being trapped wide.
Debbie Kepitis, a part-owner of the race’s namesake and the runner-up, was one of the first to congratulate Cummings, who admitted to being unusually emotional after Anamoe’s performance.
“He means a lot to us,” Cummings said.
“He is so beautifully bred, he is the type of horse that can carry a stable. We are very lucky to have him.
“There was pressure on him because he’s a fresh horse and can get a bit too fractious. You are watching for every little sign they might not come back.
“How remarkable a pre-Christmas two-year-old winning over 1000m is still coming back winning Group 1 races as a four-year-old.”
Cummings is unsure where Anamoe will run next but the Cox Plate is the focal point of his spring preparation.
There were some promising runs behind the winner with Fangirl coming from last to grab second, her trainer Chris Waller feeling a wide gate probably beat her.
“Fangirl just had to take her medicine from the draw and go back but finished off really well,” Waller said.
Profondo was also outstanding, looking a brief threat halfway up the straight before peaking on his run after racing wide, while ATC Australian Derby placegetter Benaud caught the eye doing his best work late for fifth.
