The Moe’ is back.
After a spring campaign that saw this champion four-year-old claim four Group 1 victories, including a redemption in Cox Plate success. Anamoe has return in superb order for James Cummings to win first-up in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes.
James McDonald was cool, calm and collected from the wider draw, pressing forward to sit just in behind the speed one-off the rail, finding cover behind Laws Of Indices who track across to sit outside the lead.
Hinged from the Chris Waller yard was the pacemaker throughout, which was the likely scenario with a speed map lacking a genuine leader over the 1400m.
Anamoe cruised up to his rivals when popped the question by James McDonald and the son of Street Boss obliged with his customary turn-of-foot getting him to the front and clear with 150m to go.
Fangirl was impressive up on the inside running rail late to run third, while stablemate, Hinged, was brave sticking to the task into second.
2023 Group 2 Apollo Stakes Replay – Anamoe
They were simply no match for Anamoe though, with the Godolphin colt showing his class in what was a soft win overall.
Trainer James Cummings was elated with the performance of his stable superstar Anamoe and he expressed punters sentiments post-race. Along with the assessment being first-up.
“What a player,” said Cummings.
“He just comes back better again, a mature horse. He sweated up on a hot day, 12 months ago he wasn’t handling that but today he handled that far better.”
He was quick to give James McDonald massive credit to the success of his returning colt.
“James McDonald made it look absolutely painless,” said a relieved Cummings.
“Allowed him to use his ability to be prominent in these weight for age races and he was terrific. Very proud of Anamoe and it’s great for the team to have the big horse back.”
“The Chipping Norton looks the nice progression for him. Here in two weeks and he’ll be ready to fire again.”
When asked about Anamoe post-race and his tendency to shift off without the job being done fully, James McDonald referenced his Cox Plate success as well.
“He did it in the Cox Plate, I shouldn’t say that because he was all out, he was doing his best,” said James McDonald.
“But today I really felt him just clock off with 150m to go. Trying to encourage him and he’s only just put a half a length on Hinged.”
McDonald went on to talk about his mounts attitude towards racing as the years have gone by.
“He’s a phenomenal horse and the reason being he’s got an amazing demeanor and conserves energy in the race like no horse I’ve ever ridden,” said McDonald
“He doesn’t spend a penny. As a two-year-old he used to have a wow factor, putting a field away. But as these stallions get older, he’s lost that.”
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