Ladbrokes Cox Plate (Group 1)

WHILE not ‘check-mate’, it was certainly ‘check’ past the post the first time in the Cox Plate.

Jumping from barrier four in the Group 1, Anamoe was away well with James McDonald able to pilot the Street Boss colt to one-off the rail behind the leading trio of Zaaki, Profundo and Alligator Blood as they exited Moonee Valley’s short straight - check! It was almost academic from that point with Anamoe simply ‘travelling’ in the heavy 8 conditions.

As the pace built into the race past half-way, McDonald eased out to take the corner four-wide and charge to the lead at the top of the straight. Urged along, the long striding colt had the race well won despite the strong closing runs of I’m Thunderstruck and the Irish-bred El Bodegon, the Kodiac colt running right up to his French Group 1 form when trained by James Fergerson.

“I was on a champion today, I wasn’t going to lie, it’s been a big build-up. I can’t believe it, it’s unbelievable. I felt the tension, you could cut it with a butter knife. It’s good to get it over with. I don’t know how Hughie Bowman got through it with four of them,” said McDonald referencing Bowman’s experiences with Winx.

Humbling

Trainer James Cummings was equally moved. “It’s a humbling experience for me, but I’m just grateful that I can be a part of a horse as great as Anamoe,” said Cummings.

“The truth is he’s just had a gun preparation. A couple of times it hasn’t been plain sailing, but my team have come together in phenomenal fashion.”

The win adds to Anamoe’s perfect preparation this spring, completing four straight Group 1 wins this season, with an encore in the offering on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival in the rebranded MacKinnon Stakes, the Group 1 Champions Stakes.

“I feel like he’s gradually improved every start this prep and he’s pulled up so well, the race is there for him, I’ve had it in my mind all preparation and it’d be great for the horse.

“I know there’s a bit of added pressure because it’d be an easy thing just to put him on the float and send him back to Osborne park and have him grazing next week, but I’d be disappointed for the horse if he didn’t have his chance to go again,” added Cummings.