Favorite Anamoe FINALLY gets denied the Cox Plate Winx after storming home on Saturday to win at Mooney Valley to cement his name in Australian racing history
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James Cummings’ Anamoe is officially the Australian Age Horse Weight Champion after finally adding the Cox Plate to the trophy cabinet on Saturday.
Anamoe’s graduation from the upper echelons of today’s Australian grass greats was confirmed in the $5 million race.
Anamoe continued an undefeated spring, performing at the time that mattered most to world racing superpower Godolphin and Surgery’s Australian trainer James Cummings.
The might of superstar mare Winx had previously denied Anamoe the trifecta of titles including the Melbourne Cup and Golden Slipper it had already claimed.
But the favorite ran the perfect race in Mooney Valley to descend the track as leader and eventually go from bridesmaid to Cox Plate champion, etching his name as one of Australia’s greatest horses ever.
The win means Anamoe stands alone as the biggest after returning as a four-year-old to claim seven Group 1 races in a season – the first horse in Australian history to achieve that feat.
Cox Plate runner Anamoe had a perfect preparation leading up to the big race at Mooney Valley
James Cummings, right, grandson of Aussie racing great Bart Cummings is congratulated after his horse Anamoe etched his name in Australian horse racing folklore
The four-year-old, who was beaten in controversial circumstances last year, earned an audience in his attempt at redemption and he didn’t disappoint his growing legion of fans.
Under James McDonald, Anamoe put together a brilliant rally as the race got serious and he shot forward in the Moonee Valley corner.
He set a clear margin, leaving I’m Thunderstruck and El Bodegon to bid late as they narrowed the margin.
The win saw Cummings emulate his famed grandfather Bart as a Cox Plate-winning trainer.
Cummings was lost for words after the win.
‘Look, it’s a beautiful horse, Anamoe. It was a pleasure to train him, but that’s a real horse race,” he said.
“And the best horse race I’ve had anything to do with. So it’s a humbling experience for me, but I’m just thankful to be a part of a horse the size of Anamoe.
You know, it’s… it’s an incredible feeling. It’s kinda lost me for words, but I’ll find them there somewhere.
James McDonald celebrates after winning the Cox Plate at Anamoe in Mooney Valley
“The truth is he just had a weapons prep. A couple of times it wasn’t smooth sailing, but my team came together in a phenomenal way to get him to arrive in perfect shape and halfway through the race I couldn’t help but keep my cool.
‘Because there were no surprises. Everything went to the script. Dominic worked out the race beautifully all week. And the horse, we had the horse in absolutely perfect condition to perform.
“It’s a real Cox Plate and it’s an absolutely humbling privilege to win it.”
A huge crowd showed up for the Cox Plate Race Day in Melbourne’s Moonee Valley
Jockey James McDonald admitted there are a lot of nerves in the race because his mother is unwell and his partner Katie is heavily pregnant.
“I hope I didn’t bring that baby,” he joked.
“No, watching her at home, Kate—I know you do—can’t wait to see you tomorrow. There is a great team to thank.
‘My mother has been a little ill. That will hopefully give her a kick in the tummy and get her going. I’m sure they’ll be in tears, I thought.
“Proud of everyone behind this team for Anamoe’s flawless preparations.
“Everyone, I probably left out a few people too, but the main thing is that the horse is incredible.”