While three-year-olds have a good record in the Cox Plate, winners of the Caulfield Guineas have not fared that well in recent years.
If successful in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley on Saturday, Godolphin colt Anamoe will become the first since Red Anchor in 1984 to win the Caulfield Guineas – Cox Plate double.
For good measure, Red Anchor backed up the following week at Flemington to win the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) to stamp his class.
Not that Anamoe is any slouch, but these are different times and trainer James Cummings has ruled out a Derby start for the Godolphin colt.
Anamoe has a Group 1 win as a two-year-old to go with his Guineas win and win, lose or draw on Saturday he has assured himself a spot on the Darley stallion roster.
But a win by Anamoe on Saturday would also cement the three-year-old in the Godolphin honour roll as their first Cox Plate victor.
Cummings says Anamoe is at peak fitness for Saturday’s contest for which he is second favourite with TAB at $4 behind the easing $2.90 favourite Zaaki and Verry Elleegant on the third line at $5.
“There’s no race harder for him to be more ready for than this race,” Cummings said.
“We’ve got him very fit and very well prepared, and in a position to do his absolute best.
“Thinking about this race we think that it gives him every opportunity to be ridden for his assets and, without giving that much away, we think Anamoe is the type of horse that can sit back and let things unfold.
“His best performances have been when jockeys have been able to let things unfold.”
After a slight set-back at the start of his preparation, Anamoe has steadily built through the campaign.
He took out the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill first-up before being beaten in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) before switching to Melbourne to claim the Guineas.
Cummings has left petrol in the tank for the 2040m on Saturday, a trip the trainer said Anamoe was bred to run, especially with 49.5kg and Craig Williams in the saddle.
“One of the things I like about Anamoe is it’s possible we haven’t seen his best run this preparation,” Cummings said.
“And that’s what it’s going to take.
“We’d like to think he’s still got that bit of an edge up his sleeve, more to offer and that he didn’t leave it all on the line in the Caulfield Guineas.”