The scene is set for a spectacular Queen Elizabeth Stakes showdown after international raider Dubai Honour and local hero Anamoe turned in outstanding individual performances on a memorable Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill.
Just 40 minutes after Dubai Honour smashed his Ranvet Stakes (2000m) rivals by more than four lengths, Anamoe rose to his own challenge with a narrower but no less impressive victory in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m).
Where Dubai Honour enjoyed an economic run on the rails before peeling out to pounce, Anamoe was caught three-wide from his outside draw and had to call on his tremendous will to win to remain undefeated this campaign.
James Cummings was proud of Anamoe’s effort and said the hot weather affected the entire more than most.
“He was in for the fight today,” Cummings said.
“I don’t think he’s at his best on really hot days where he sweats freely in the yard, but he was still very fit third-up, we kept him sharp for the 1500 and he’s a real danger stepping up to the 2000 next time.
“He’s going to go into the Queen Elizabeth undefeated this campaign.
“These are good horses in the George Ryder, it’s a time-honoured race and we’ve got to bloody pleased with the horse.”
The George Ryder field fanned across the track in the straight and Anamoe ($1.80 betr fav) took time to wind up but showed his champion qualities to overhaul the leaders and stave off the belated charge of Fangirl ($9) by a long neck with Converge ($41) running his best race for some time another nose away third.
The Godolphin star returned to scale amid cheers and applause from the crowd of more than 21,000, Cummings admitting the reception was humbling.
“For Anamoe to have a following is a special thing,” he said.
“We are so focused on the horse and the process, we don’t spend too much time dwelling on that. But it is the beauty of turning on a day like today with a big crowd and you get blown away by the atmosphere.”
While the victory wasn’t Anamoe’s most brilliant performance, it was one of his gutsiest.
James Mcdonald said it reflected how far the horse has come.
“It was a different sort of win, wasn’t it? He didn’t have the perfect barrier, he didn’t have the perfect set-up. He had to overcome a wide run, but he’s good enough to do it and he’s taking that next step all the time,” McDonald said.