Godolphin’s Cox Plate hero Anamoe is back on Saturday dominating markets for the Group 1 $3 million Champions Stakes (2000m) on the final day of Flemington’s Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Cox Plate winning young gun Anamoe is the horse to beat in Flemington’s 2022 Champions Stakes on Saturday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Renamed from the Mackinnon Stakes ahead of the 2022 edition, the VRC Champions Stakes field has collected one of the best weight-for-age line-ups of the spring.
Sitting top of the markets at Ladbrokes is the flying James Cummings-trained Street Boss four-year-old Anamoe who chases his incredible fifth consecutive Group 1 victory this prep.
At his last start the gun young star atoned for his narrow second in last year’s Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) to be crowned the Australasian weight-for-age champion.
Now he is at a current quote of $2.15 to salute again and take on the Champions Stakes from barrier four with James McDonald continuing his successful association on the very valuable future stallion.
The danger occupying the second line of Champions Stakes betting this spring at $4 is the close Cox Plate second placed I’m Thunderstruck.
One of the country’s most consistent horses, he made up ground finishing strongly in the Cox Plate at The Valley on a wet track to finish just a long-neck off Anamoe.
He gets the chance to turn the tables here having also run second to Godolphin’s $10 million earner in the Caulfield Stakes the run prior.
On Saturday the Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr-trained Shocking gelding does hold one thing over Anamoe ahead of the mouth-watering third clash of the season, experience at the famous Flemington track.
Where Anamoe steps out at headquarters for the first time, I’m Thunderstruck has his fourth run at Flemington where he boasts two wins and a third at.
“It is probably the best he (I’m Thunderstruck) has pulled up in his three runs (this campaign),” Kent Jr told News Corp speaking of their horse’s Cox Plate recovery.
“I think that’s because he never emptied out. His run never ended. He had more to give.
“He was kicking his heels up (this week), so we decided to go for the 2000m race and take on Anamoe.
“Anamoe is the best horse at 2000m at weight-for-age in the country, but you can make a solid case we should have gone very close last start (in the Cox Plate).”
That includes his Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) win over subsequent Underwood Stakes champion Alligator Blood.
The reigning Champions Stakes winner Zaaki is also at single figures paying $7 to go back-to-back in the race he won as a consolation prize last season after scratching out of the Cox Plate as favourite on race morning.
Zaaki, last seen running a close fourth in the Cox Plate, has the rails run on Saturday with Jamie Kah to ride from barrier one and is out to be the first two-time champ in the event since Belmura Lad (1980-81).
Trainer Annabel Neasham meanwhile also saddles-up Zaaki’s younger Group 1 winning stablemate Mo’unga ($10) from the outside gate in the 11-horse field.
The 2022 VRC Champions Stakes runs as Race 8 at 5:10pm (AEDT) on Saturday’s nine-race card at Flemington.
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