After electing to head the way of the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes with Anamoe as opposed to the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes, James Cummings and James McDonald will be breathing a sigh of relief after clinging on to victory.
Anamoe showed his champion qualities to secure his ninth Group 1 win on Saturday afternoon at Rosehill, after being set an enormous task mid-race, sitting three-wide without cover the entire 1500m journey.
James McDonald jumped well on the Street Boss colt and looked to amble across to find a spot, but it was to favourite back dismay when he never got real cart into the race.
McDonald decided to take his medicine and allow Anomoe to travel on the three-wide line before asking for another effort turning for home.
Anamoe obliged in kind, hitting the wire in front and now sets up a mouth watering clash with Dubai Honour in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Converge sat up on speed with Electric Girl and clung on nicely for third position, while Fangirl gave her customary late dash to run into second yet again, running into Anamoe in back-to-back starts.
Artorius bounced well enough from his Group 1 Canterbury Stakes win, while Levante was another one to follow flying late just missing out on the minor money.
All honours to the winner though as Anamoe continues to be Australia's best middle distance galloper and sets up another intriguing tilt for the Queen Elizabeth.
2023 Group 1 George Ryder Stakes Replay – Anamoe
Trainer James Cummings spoke post-race about his star colt and with an amazing reception he received after taking out the George Ryder Stakes in the background.
“He had to be tough to win,” said Cummings.
“and you know, it was an interesting set up today. The wide draw was looking like it he'd be wide throughout, but at least he was wide and out of trouble.
“James (McDonald) was ultimately very calm about that, which was the way he needed to be.
“He's had that tough run now over 1500m, which is a race we kept him deliberately sharper for, but now he can step up to a mile and a quarter and look great when we step him up in distance.
James continued on by mentioning Dubai Honour winning the race prior, setting up an epic Queen Elizabeth.
“This horse Anamoe hasn't disappointed me once when I've stepped him up in distance. He's always run a blinder and I expect a similar thing from him in three weeks.
“That's a time honoured race with quality opposition and for him to sit three or four wide wide and still come away on the line is a great credit Anamoe.
“To pump into a internation horse who was dominant – that will be very interesting and we've got that to look forward to.”
James McDonald gave Anamoe a zero panic steer when travelling wide and that was plan B according to McDonald post-race.
“I thought he was good enough to do it,” said McDonald.
“If he had to overcome adversity – albeit the margin was small, but he had to do it a different way this time.
“I love the plan of James taking him to this race with a view of 2000m next time.
“He'll be spot on.”