Godolphin star Anamoe was too good again picking up another weight-for-age Group 1 ahead of the spring majors with a dominant performance in Randwick’s 2022 George Main Stakes.
Godolphin star Anamoe saluted for the punters as the odds-on favourite in the 2022 George Main Stakes in Sydney. Photo: Steve Hart.
The valuable son of Street Boss was eye-catching fresh with his win for the punters in the Winx Stakes, and he relished the rise to a mile second-up and fit in the Group 1 $1 million George Main Stakes (1600m) this weekend.
Continuing his outstanding record at the Randwick track Anamoe celebrated his fifth victory at the highest level, saluting as the odds-on elect.
With key rival Zaaki withdrawn on Friday afternoon, the assignment of Anamoe in the George Main was made easier.
Ace hoop James McDonald continued his successful association with the James Cummings-trained galloper, and the hoop took the guesswork out of the race moving up to settle on speed.
Hinged off the inside with the blinkers on jumped well to take up the lead, and the hot favourite was quick to role forward and settle second on her outside.
McDonald allowed the crowd favourite to slide a bit closer coming to the turn, while the likes of Montefilia and Icebath were eased out deeper working their way into the finish.
Anamoe broke clear at the 250m, and all eyes remained on the favourite as he raced off for a dominant win late.
In second was Brad Widdup’s perennial place-getter Icebath.
She was scratched from her Group 3 assignment at Newcastle on Friday, and the decision paid dividends for connections as the ultra-consistent mare picked up her fifth Group 1 placing.
Chris Waller’s Group 1 Surround Stakes winning mare Hinged tried to lead all-the-way, but was brave battling on well for fourth.
Rounding out the first four in a terrific performance was the returning David Payne-trained Montefilia putting the writing on the wall ahead of the Spring Cups.
For McDonald the performance marked his 67th Group 1 success, and the George Main Stakes result handed Cummings his 31st individual Group 1 trophy.
“He’s just come back in fine order and that’s a great effort from the team,” Cummings told Sky Thoroughbred Central post-win.
“Just a wonderful horse to see him win first-up and that’s just underlined his whole preparation.
“The remainder of the campaign he can keep his eyes on the big targets ahead and let them all know he’s coming for them!
“That’s going to be the perfect stepping stone for him, and he’s been able to pick up two important weight-for-age Group 1s along the way.”
Anamoe’s key spring assignment is again the Group 1 $5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 22.
He was second in a devastatingly close finish in last year’s race behind State Of Rest.
Updated Cox Plate 2022 odds online at race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au have the horse as the $3.50 all-in favourite.
Click here for the latest futures markets on the Cox Plate.
2022 George Main Stakes Results & Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | ANAMOE | James Cummings | James McDonald | 7 | 58.5kg | $1.65F | |||
| 2 | 8 | ICEBATH (NZ) | Brad Widdup | Tommy Berry | 0.84L | 4 | 57kg | $13 | ||
| 3 | 10 | HINGED | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 1.3L | 1 | 56.5kg | $10 | ||
| 4 | 7 | MONTEFILIA | David Payne | Jason Collett | 2.34L | 6 | 57kg | $26 | ||
| 5 | 9 | FANGIRL | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 3.35L | 3 | 56.5kg | $6.50 | ||
| 6 | 6 | DUAIS | Edward Cummings | Joshua Parr | 5.04L | 5 | 57kg | $19 | ||
| 7 | 5 | PROFONDO | Richard Litt | Brenton Avdulla | 5.98L | 2 | 58.5kg | $16 | ||
| 8 | 2 | MAXIMAL (GB) | John O’Shea | Sam Clipperton | 6.7L | 8 | 59kg | $51 | ||
| 9 | 4 | CONVERGE | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 6.71L | 9 | 58.5kg | $26 | ||
| 1 | ZAAKI (GB) | Annabel Neasham | Tommy Berry | 0 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
