Anamoe moves into second favourite for the 2021 Cox Plate

Anamoe wins the 2021 Caulfield Guineas

The saying that cream rises to the top lived up to its word in Saturday’s Caulfield Guineas, as the three Group 1-winning colts filled the trifecta in the 1600m event.

Despite jumping from barrier 13, the James Cummings-trained Anamoe was still too good for his rivals, defeating Captivant and Artorius, with the latter costing himself the race by bundling the start.

Already a Group 1 winner at two, Anamoe added another to his name in the Caulfield Guineas, significantly boosting the son of Street Cry’s stud value.

After just missing out in the Golden Rose a fortnight earlier, the star colt made amends in the $2 million race, giving champion hoop Damien Oliver his 132nd Group 1 victory and his first win in the Guineas since Centro reigned supreme in 1990.

“It’s a long time between drinks,” Oliver told Racing.com.

“It took a really top class colt to do.

“He’s shown us so much from day one this horse, he’s just a magnificent specimen of a horse.

“When I got on him today – first time for a little while – I could see he’s grown into a beautiful horse (like) we thought he would.”

Anamoe did started as a heavily backed $2.10 favourite with Sportsbet in the race, with punters putting their trust in the horse’s ability despite the wide barrier (13).


“He had a nice run three wide with cover, but he never really took me into the race,” the champion hoop said.

“I was sort of just at him to switch him on, then when he got to the front, he felt like he pricked his ears.

“I think he’s like a lot of good horses; he knows he’s good, he pricks his ears for the camera.”

While punters put their trust in Anamoe, the star jockey admitted post-race that his plan was lucky enough to come to fruition.

“It probably planned out the way I hoped it was going to,” he said.

“I was hopeful I could find the back of Captivant, he’s a good horse and he could take me into the race three wide with cover, but it doesn’t always work out the way you want it.

“It did today.”

Owned by global powerhouse Godolphin, Oliver said it “was a great thrill” to win a race of the Caulfield Guineas’ nature in the royal blue.

Group 1 success between Oliver and the Cummings family is not something that is uncommon, with the 11-time Scobie Breasley Medal winner partnering with James’ grandfather Bart for his very first Group 1 win.

“I rode my first Group 1 winner for his (James Cummings) grandfather Bart here on Submariner in the Rupert Clarke,” Oliver said.

“I’ve ridden Group 1s for his father Anthony, and now James as well.

“It’s good to do it for three generations.”

Anamoe is now likely to head to the $5 million Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 23rd, where he is now a $5.50 second favourite behind Zaaki who disappointed in the Might And Power Stakes earlier in the day.

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