Sheikh Mohammed’s most prolific Group 1 winner Anamoe kick’s off his final campaign in Apollo Stakes
Anamoe and In Secret are both odds-on to start their autumn campaigns victorious at Randwick but that hasn’t deterred the punters.
Godolphin’s superstar duo Anamoe and In Secret dominate betting for their comeback races at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Anamoe has firmed from $1.90 into $1.70 for the Group 2 $250,000 TAB Apollo Stakes (1400m) and In Secret is solid at $1.85 for the Group 2 $250,000 Light Finger Stakes (1200m).
Champion Anamoe is a product of Godolphin’s racing and breeding operation and the seven-time Group 1 winner of more than $10 million prizemoney is the headline act whenever he races.
“Anamoe is the most prolific Group 1 winner (owner) Sheikh Mohammed has ever raced,” said Vin Cox, managing director of Godolphin Australia.
There has been huge money for Anamoe to win the Apollo including bets of $5,000 at $1.85 and $3,000 at $1.70 and although In Secret hasn’t attracted any big bets of note, she remains a firm odds-on favourite to beat a crack field of three-year-old fillies in the Light Fingers.
Godolphin generally breed to race and don’t buy a lot of yearlings each season but In Secret was a rare purchase with Cox going to $900,000 to secure the filly at the 2021 Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
In Secret has not missed a top two placing in six starts, winning four including the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and is so richly talented she is already at the top of betting for the $15 million The Everest later this year, but what was it about her that attracted Cox’s attention.
“There is not one particular thing I zero in on with a yearling but In Secret was a particularly good mover,” Cox said.
“I also noticed how she well she was coping with the pressure at that sale as it was quite hot and there was a lot of noise and people around her but it didn’t bother her. Temperament is important and she is very relaxed, sensible filly.”
THE BEST BARRIERS
The best barriers at Royal Randwick for the last 3 years (in order of wins)
1000m: 1,4,6,5
1100m: 3,4,2,6
1200m: 6,7,5,4
1300m: 1,7,2,5
1400m: 1,2,3,6
1600m: 3,4,2,6
1800m: 4,3,1,5
THE BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS
Race 1: Don Corleone $3-$2.40-$2.50-$1.70 with bets of $500 at $3, $1,000 at $2.80, $400 at $2.50, $2,000 at $2, $2,100 at $1.95, $1,000 at $1.85, $2,000 at $1.80, $1,000 at $1.80, $962 at $1.70
Race 2: Byakko $18-$14, Amarantz $10-$5.50-$6
Race 3: Hard To Say $4.80-$4.20 with bets of $550 at $4.80, $625 at $4.20, Another Cognac $8.50-$6.50 including a $333 wager at $7
Race 4: King Ratel $9-$7-$7.50-$5.50
Race 5: Titanium Power $8-$6.50-$5.50 with bets of $500 at $7.50, $500 at $6.50, $500 at $5.50, Espiona $5-$4.20-$4.40 with bets of $300 at $5, $1,000 at $4.20
Race 6: Learning To Fly $3-$3.10-$2.70-$2.80 with bets of $1,000 at $3.10, $4,000 at $3, $1,000 at $3 twice, $750 at $2.90, $500 at $2.80, $500 at $2.70, Facile $11-$7.50, Kundalini $9-$7-$7.50 with bets of $500 at $8.50 twice, $400 at $8, $500 at $7.50
Race 7: Sunshine In Paris $13-$7-$6 with a bet of $1,000 at $10
Race 8: Anamoe $1.90-$1.85-$1.70 with bets of $2,224 at $1.90, $2,200 at $1.90, $1,500 at $1.90, $1,000 at $1.90, $500 at $1.90, $5,000 at $1.85, $2,500 at $1.85, $2,350 at $1.85, $1,000 at $1.85, $3,000 at $1.80, $2,000 at $1.80, $1,500 at $1.75, $1,000 at $1.75, $3,000 at $1.70
Race 9: Norwegian Bliss $3.80-$3.10-$3.40, Larkspur Run $13-$10 including a bet of $500 at $10, Bellatrix Black $26-$19-$21 after bets of $500 at $26, $400/$200 e/w at $23/$5, $250 e/w at $21/$5 twice, $1,000 e/w at $19/$4.60
Race 10: Waterford $5-$2.90-$2.80 with bets of $500 at $5, $600 at $4.40, $500 at $4.40 twice, $4,500 at $3.80, $1,500 at $3.80, $4,500 at $3.60, $868 at $3.30, $1,700 at $3.10, $1,000 at $3 twice, $3,000 at $2.90, $1,500 at $2.80
EARLY QUADDIE
Race 3: 7,12,14,17
Race 4: 3,6,8,9
Race 5: 2,5,10
Race 6: 8,9,11,14
QUADDIE
Race 7: 1,2,5
Race 8: 1,11
Race 9: 1,4,12,13
Race 10: 4,6,8,13
PRICE CHECK
Anamoe (race 8) has been heavily backed on TAB Fixed Odds despite the “skinny” odds. Anamoe has firmed from $1.90 to $1.70 after a number of big bets including $2,224 at $1.90, $2,200 at $1.90, $1,500 at $1.90, $5,000 at $1.85, $2,500 at $1.85, $2,350 at $1.85, $1,000 at $1.85, $3,000 at $1.80, $2,000 at $1.80, $1,500 at $1.75 and $3,000 at $1.70.
TRIAL POINTERS
Arkansaw Kid (race 6) was a $190,000 Inglis Classic Yearling sale purchase in 2022. A striking brown/black coloured colt, Arkansaw Kid is a member of the first Australian crop of Darley’s resident champion sprinter Harry’s Angel. On top of that, Arkansaw Kid’s grandam is Shindig who ran a course record time of 1.27.21 seconds when she won the 1500m Coolmore Classic in 1998. Arkansaw Kid, the Inglis Banner winner at his one and only start so far, looked at ease the Sydney way of going winning a Warwick Farm barrier trial on January 30.
Cinderella Days (race 8) has a Coolmore Classic connection herself but one generation closer than the aforementioned Arkansaw Kid. This Joe Pride-trained filly sports the same colours as her dam, Ofcourseican, who beat the likes of Streama, Yosei, Red Tracer and Secret Admirer in the Coolmore. Cinderella Days has won three of her four starts, granted in considerably easier company than the Light Fingers Stakes but she could measure up here and belie her huge odds. Looked sharp as ever winning a January 30 barrier trial at Warwick Farm.
SECTIONAL STARS
Don Corleone (race 1) is one the second line of betting at $8 with TAB Fixed Odds to win the Golden Slipper next month. Team Snowden’s colt was impressive making a winning debut here at Royal Randwick on January 21, reeling off impressive closing sectionals of 10.87s and 11.36s as he drew clear to win in most impressive circumstances.
Kanazawa (race 10) was credited with the fastest last 400m and 200m in his Benchmark 78 assignment at headquarters on January 21 but had to settle for second. The James Cummings-gelding is a son of Lonhro who won a C.F. Orr Stakes and an Apollo Stakes on corresponding weekends in 2003 and 2004 respectively. As for Kanazawa, he seems to save his best for Royal Randwick having raced there six times (out of 12 career starts) for two wins, two seconds and two thirds.
BEST BET
Espiona (race 5) was disappointing last spring, finishing unplaced in each of her three starts. She has always been big on talent but is yet to realise her potential. There are encouraging signs she is back to something like her exciting best with an impressive barrier trial hitout at Rosehill leading into her return. The good-soft track conditions suit, she’s drawn the inside gate and is on the limit weight. She seems set for a big autumn and is ready for a first-up win.
VALUE BET
Mr Severino (race 2) didn’t have a lot of room at the top of the straight but when the gap came he finished powerfully to just miss at Rosehill. He’s third-up at 1800m which suits and is perfectly drawn in barrier four. Consistent gelding who finds himself in a winnable Highway.
THE JUDGEMENT
R6: Inglis Millennium (1100m)
Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “Because she’s drawn to get a good run, and she’s a filly with serious ability, I’m with Kundalini. Her debut second to smart colt Don Corleone was excellent, and if she’s improved off that she has to be hard to beat. Learning To Fly looks top class but her wide barrier is an obvious concern. If Chad Schofield can find a good spot for her in the run, she has to be in the finish. Lazzago might be a bit forgotten about here, she looked great winning on debut back in December. Mexico has drawn awkwardly but he’s a talented colt and has to be in the mix.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “I thought Kundalini deserved to be shorter in the market off her first run when outside lead and battling on well to beat all but Don Corleone. The big space to 3rd is always a great sign as to the strength of the form as well. She came into that with only one trial and is sure to be improved. Slots in beautifully from a soft draw.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “It looked like Learning To Fly was destined to run third at the 200m mark on debut before she fought on bravely and put half a length on them to win like a good horse. She has to contend with barrier 19 but she should improve on her debut effort and will be hard to hold out. She goes on top from Arkansaw Kid who looks well over the odds after beating Mexico on debut.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Good edition with some likely types here. I thought Learning To Fly ($3.20-$3) was exceptional on debut and interested to see if she can replicate such a performance. Worthy favourite and one we’re not keen to take on. Of the rest, Lazzago couldn’t have done much more here and given a quiet trial in the interim. Maps to stalk them and pounce.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Learning To Fly certainly created a big impression on debut and looks hard to toss again. Facile and Kundalini have attracted decent money early.”
Verdict: Learning To Fly
R7: Light Fingers Stakes (1200m)
Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “It’s all about the outstanding In Secret. While she has bigger autumn targets, from her good barrier, her quality and class should get her home. North Star Lass is one of a few dangers. She’s a tough, on speed filly, and she’ll make the favourite work to get past her. This time last year Fireburn made her run to Golden Slipper glory and going on her recent trial she’s set to run well first up. Sheeza Belter is a good filly and is capable of an upset, and don’t leave Wolverine out of trifectas and First Fours.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “In Secret very short with the scratching of Zougotcha but on analysis of the opposition she is probably deserving of that quote considering Sunshine In Paris is second pick at level weights off a benchmark 78 win with 50kg. Hard to fault the form of In Secret in her six runs so far and looks the winner.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “In Secret is a deserved favourite but I thought Fireburn was the one that looked over the odds. The Golden Slipper winner was better last prep than her results read on paper. She has ground to make up on the favourite but her trial was good and I think she can cause an upset at double figure odds.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “No knocks on In Secret but we think she is at her rock bottom quote now and I’m sure you’ll get better than the $1.85. We’ve seen very good support for Sunshine In Paris who’s been $8-$5.50 after the scratching of Zougotcha. Filly on the rise with some residual fitness on these, and if can hold a spot from the gate, will be charging late. She looks the play each-way.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Not a great deal of betting activity with In Secret stifling the market somewhat. Coolmore winner and Golden Rose runner-up who should resume a winner.”
Verdict: In Secret
R8: Apollo Stakes (1400m)
Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “Anamoe is the brightest star of all, I can’t wait to see him stride into the Theatre of the Horse today. Again, this is a kick off point for a busy Sydney Autumn schedule, but I can see the big boy making a statement at about 4.42pm today. Classy mare Fangirl usually runs a good race first up and she’s drawn to advantage. Icebath also looks primed for a good return, a bit of rain in the lead up hasn’t hurt her chances. Mo’Unga is too good to leave out.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “Surely with the track drying out the gap between Anamoe and Fangirl ($1.70 v $9.50) is far too great. They ran the quinella in the Winx Stakes when both resuming last time in as $2.50 and $6 pops. Fangirl was either slow out or drew poorly all four runs last time in, had to be further back than you would want and ran on those soft-heavy tracks. She draws inside Anamoe in this with zero speed runners underneath her. Fresh runs good and hasn’t really been tested in either trial.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “I am excited to see the return of Anamoe. He won four Group 1 races in his last campaign including a Cox Plate before coming to the end of his prep in the Champions Stakes. He is two from two over 1400m at Randwick and he has been tuned up for this with two trial efforts. He goes on top from Fangirl who should also run a big race first up.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Anamoe very likeable but awfully short again. We’re happy to let our customers on and think he trades longer. I don’t mind Icebath on an each-way line here. Can sprint well fresh and with a hungry Brett Prebble aboard, expect her to use that draw to settle a little closer in the run. Was more than competitive with Anamoe last preparation and of course any juice left in the track will aid her chances.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Anamoe has been smashed in early betting and holds 80 per cent of the early investment. Handles all conditions, loves the distance and races well fresh. Can’t see it losing.”
Verdict: Anamoe
Originally published as Sheikh Mohammed’s most prolific Group 1 winner Anamoe kick’s off his final campaign in Apollo Stakes
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