A clash between Australia’s best two horses may have to wait until the traditional championship of Australian racing, the Cox Plate, at Moonee Valley next month, with Anamoe and Zaaki to take different paths at their next starts.
James McDonald was last week confirmed on Godolphin star Anamoe for Saturday’s George Main Stakes, where he is an even-money favourite, as he tries to add another group 1 to his resume.
James McDonald celebrates as Anamoe wins the Winx Stakes at Randwick last monthCredit:Getty
“It is the natural progression from the [Winx Stakes] win first-up and he is a horse that will improve with the step up to a mile,” Godolphin trainer James Cummings said. “It is good to have James on and Anamoe is doing everything right, indicating he is going to have a big spring.
“Our plans are focussed on group 1 targets to come and we follow what would be considered a traditional path to the Cox Plate.”
It is understood Zaaki will be given another week to get over his Tramway Stakes success on a very heavy Randwick track and will follow the same path as last year when he won the Underwood Stakes.
It will also allow McDonald to ride him at Sandown, should he be booked, with the meeting on the Sunday after the AFL grand final.
It means Sydney will miss out on the mouth-watering clash and will have to wait until next year to see Anamoe and Zaaki together on the same track.
Godolphin is starting to flex its muscle with In Secret and Golden Mile at the top of Golden Rose after their victories at Rosehill on Saturday.
Sam Clipperton will stay with Golden Mile, who demolished the Ming Dynasty Stakes, while a rider for Run To The Rose winner In Secret will be confirmed later in the week as Tommy Berry has a booking on Champagne Stakes winner She’s Extreme.
“They were two good wins and the natural next step is the Golden Rose for both of them,” Cummings said. “They were both very good and still have improvement going into the group 1.”
Nature Strip to make The Shorts the main event
It is not often that ageing geldings take the spotlight from the young bucks, but Nature Strip and Eduardo break all the rules as they head for The Everest.
The tradition of the George Main will play second fiddle to the speed and excitement of The Shorts, a group 2, that will the base camp for a number of Everest assaults at Randwick on Saturday.
Nature Strip will have his first start since his King’s Stand blitz at Royal Ascot and waiting for him over are Everest slotholders Eduardo, Mazu, Lost And Running and Masked Crusader as well as Bjorn Baker-trained Overpass going to push his claims for a place $15 million showcase.
Chris Waller gave Nature Strip a raceday experience on Saturday with regular partner James McDonald in the saddle, who was left happy with the efficiency of his action.
James McDonald and Nature Strip edge out Eduardo to win the TJ Smith Stakes earlier this year.Credit:Getty
Nature Strip is glowing in his coat and strolled around 1000m with a presence that seems to grow with every year.
“He left the UK in great form and everything has gone well so far,” Waller said. “It was always [going] to be a challenge with the change of seasons, how he would cope. But if his coat is anything to go by, he has certainly come back in really good order.”
Waller is a master of less is more with Nature Strip and decided with the residual fitness of travel and the Royal Ascot campaign, he will only need one run into his defence of The Everest crown.
There is a confidence about Waller with Nature Strip, who has gone from tearaway to statesman in the past couple of years.
“We always knew he was very fast but to get that right over 1000 or 1200m isn’t always as easy as it might look,” Waller said. “He has worked that out for himself through age and maturity, all we have done is keep things simple. I wouldn’t say [he’s] better than ever, but if he stays the same as last year he will be as good as ever.”
Hawkesbury looks to host special meeting
Hawkesbury chief executive James Heddo is planning a celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s life with his club to race on the public holiday for the day of national mourning on September 23.
“It will be a special day and we will look to do something special to honour her majesty,” Heddo said. “I will talk with Racing NSW on Monday about how we can an extra special day at the races.”
Lees hopes Tea Rose is Willinga Beast’s turn
Newcastle trainer Kris Lees is looking forward to getting Furious Stakes runner-up Willinga Beast on firm ground in Saturday’s Tea Rose Stakes at Randwick.
North Star Lass fought back in the Furious Stakes to beat Willinga Beast, which is twice a runner-up at group 2 level in just four starts.
“She is a pretty good wet tracker but I would like to think we will be on a better track on Saturday and I have always thought that she could be better on a good surface,” Lees said. “She has certainly continued to improve and it would be nice for one of these races to go our way for change.
“I’ll also have Wolverine [which was sixth in the Silver Shadow Stakes] going there, she is a nice New Zealand filly that is going to be better suited as these races step in trip.”
