James McDonald has often talked about the confidence he gets when in the saddle of Anamoe, and track legend Makybe Diva’s rider Glen Boss believes if he draws on that it will lead to an Australian victory in Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Anamoe has dominated every horse in Australia over the past year, winning six group 1 races. Boss doesn’t expect British visitor Dubai Honour to buck that trend.
James McDonald and Anamoe will take some beating in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.Credit: Getty
“When you are on a horse like him, you feel like you’re unbeaten,” Boss said. “James feels that on Anamoe, I felt it on Makybe Diva.
“They both have so many assets. On Makybe Diva I felt like I could make a long run and sustain it, and then if I held her up she could run the fastest 400m of the day. From what I have seen Anamoe is the same.
“James just has to believe he is on the best horse, and he doesn’t have to worry about beating anything else. It will just happen.”
As a four-year-old, Anamoe has won seven of his eight starts including six group 1 races and can do it in different ways. He was tough when had to be in the Cox Plate and George Ryder Stakes and explosive like when putting the Chipping Norton Stakes field away in a matter of strides.
Ryan Moore returns on Dubai Honour after taking out the Ranvet.Credit: Getty
He can handle both wet and dry ground and Saturday’s heavy track shouldn’t be a factor.
“Don’t ignore the obvious,” Boss said. “Anamoe keeps winning, all the ones are there for you to see in the form guide. He is the best horse in Australia.
“You see it a lot with internationals, their first run is their best. Dubai Honour was impressive, but can he do it again?
“You know Anamoe is going to run to his peak, but you are guessing with Dubai Honour.”
Boss remembered the Queen Elizabeth of two years ago when Tom Marquand – aboard Addeybb – outrode himself on Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet and McDonald on Verry Elleegant.
“That day I rode to beat Verry Elleegant and got it wrong. I forgot about Addeybb, I have said that publicly before,” Boss said. “James would have learnt from that day and just has to remember Anamoe will just beat what’s in front of him.
“James doesn’t want to fall into the trap that ‘all I have to do is beat Dubai Honour’. Then you do things a little bit different and you don’t ride your horse for his best asset.
“If I was James I would go into this race respecting the opposition but knowing you are on the best horse in the race.
“The best part about Anamoe is he has got just more than one asset.”
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