After falling short in the Cox Plate (2040m) during the spring, Anamoe will be out to stamp himself as Australia’s best three-year-old in Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick.
The colt is no stranger to rich weight-for-age races over 2000m, which is why trainer James Cummings has decided to run the three-time Group 1-winning galloper against the older horses.
Despite finishing a narrow second in the Cox Plate, Anamoe’s wins at the highest level have all been against his own age, but Cummings wants the “alpha male” to prove himself as the best thoroughbred in the country on Saturday.
“He’s an alpha male, he absolutely knows he’s the best horse on this farm,” Cummings told the press.
“He’s a beautiful horse with a great temperament.
“The deeper into his preparation he’s got the more focused and professional he’s become, that’s what you want to see in a horse. One who can perform on grand final day and that’s Anamoe.”
READ: HorseBetting’s runner-by-runner preview of the 2022 Queen Elizabeth Stakes
Cummings, who often remains cool, calm and collected in front of the media, says that he is even more pleased heading into Saturday’s assignment with the son of Street Boss than what he was in October on the eve of the Cox Plate.
“That’s why we chose the Queen Elizabeth,” he continued.
“We want to challenge the horse and prove not only is he the best of his age but the best in the country.”
With arguably one of Australia’s top hoops in the saddle on Saturday – Tommy Berry – Anamoe should get every chance to make it back-to-back Group 1 wins after thrashing his rivals in the Rosehill Guineas (2000) three weeks ago.
Drawn barrier five, the Godolphin head trainer believes that his high-class colt can overcome what is likely to be a tactical affair against some of the country’s top horses, namely Verry Elleegant, Zaaki and Duais.
Six and a half lengths!
Superstar @godolphin colt Anamoe and @mcacajamez destroyed their rivals in the Group 1 @SkyRacingAU Active Rosehill Guineas (2000m), charging away from Converge in the straight with Forgot You in third. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/1qZ8RvwrDQ
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) March 19, 2022
“Anamoe, with his Cox Plate second, has his position cemented already as a weight-for-age performer at the top level,” the trainer said.
“It goes without saying that tactics will be instrumental, we’ve seen that in many Queen Elizabeth’s.
“It’s exciting for us to have a horse of this calibre and we’re delighted to have him in this position.”
Anamoe is currently the $4.80 second favourite with online bookmakers for Saturday’s race, which is set to jump at 3:55pm AEST.
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