Anamoe Tallies Seventh Group 1 Win in Cox Plate

After the race that confirmed Anamoe (AUS)'s status as a Godolphin great, the operation's Australian trainer paid the Ladbrokes Cox Plate (G1) hero an exceedingly great compliment. In winning the AU$5 million showpiece Oct. 22—and potentially setting up a trip to Royal Ascot—Anamoe took his group 1 tally to seven, giving him an outright hold on the most number of top-flight victories achieved by a horse competing in the Godolphin blue. There was an inevitability, therefore, that trainer James Cummings would want to wax lyrical about the James McDonald-ridden winner, yet he went even further than expected, revealing his belief that Australia's middle-distance champion could ultimately prove comparable to some of Europe's turf icons. "I'm so proud for the horse," said Cummings, whose 7-5 favorite was roared home at Moonee Valley like a Cheltenham Festival banker. "A friend of mine lent me some DVDs of the greats, showing horses like Nijinsky, Mill Reef, and Dancing Brave, who have us looking longingly back at the past. "When I was watching those DVDs it wasn't lost on me that I have a horse in my care who I think has the potential to reach those heights. "We've never had a Godolphin horse in Australia as good as Anamoe. He is our Dancing Brave. He is that special to us. We're so blessed to have him. He is a horse who humbles our entire team." That horse beat a Godolphin record he shared with Fantastic Light and Daylami, whose first of seven group 1 wins was secured before his transfer to Sheikh Mohammed's team. Anamoe's latest and most prestigious victory came a year after he was beaten a short-head by State Of Rest (IRE). This time he ensured it was his name that was stamped in the history books, hitting the front at the top of the Valley's famously short straight before repelling fast-finishing rivals I'm Thunderstruck (NZ) and British import El Bodegon (IRE), whose chance was compromised by a slow start. Cummings said: "Royal Ascot is realistic. El Bodegon has run a sensational race today, so the Cox Plate had an international flavor, plus Anamoe already had a bit of international credit after being noses away from beating State Of Rest last year when he was such an immature horse. "That all makes me feel it's not unreasonable for me to think I could take him overseas, although he still has the opportunity to win more and more group 1s in his own backyard if he stays here. "There would be no prouder person than me if he could jet overseas and win a good race, but he would have to be in as good form as he is now for me to consider it." Only 3 1/4 lengths separated the first 10 finishers, with Jamie Spencer taking ninth on last week's Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup (G1) second Gold Trip (FR). British racing did, however, have a distinct influence on the card. My Oberon (IRE), competing for the first time since joining Annabel Neasham from William Haggas, easily won the Schweppes Crystal Mile (G2), while the McCafe Moonee Valley Gold Cup went to Francesco Guardi (IRE), now trained by Chris Waller but previously with James Ferguson. That winner represents the same Australian syndicate as El Bodegon, whose owners banked well over £500,000 across the two races, to the delight of Ferguson, an interested spectator ten days out from saddling Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1) favorite Deauville Legend (IRE). "El Bodegon lost two lengths at the start and has been beaten just over half a length, so I think you could argue that on another day he could have won the Cox Plate," said Ferguson, who needed just a single word when asked what El Bodegon's excellent effort had left him thinking about Deauville Legend's prospects in the Cup. "Thrilled," said Ferguson. That's how the Anamoe camp felt as well.