James Cummings and his trusted Melbourne lieutenant Sean Keogh leapt around the back parade ring away from prying eye after Anamoe scored a stirring win in the Cox Plate.
The victory in the weight-for-age Group 1 contest at Moonee Valley on Saturday wiped away the disappointment of 12 months earlier when Anamoe was beaten into second place behind State Of Rest after an unsuccessful protest.
Watching the race separately in the weighing room, Cummings and Keogh shortly after Anamoe crossed the line before accepting congratulations from Mick Price, co-trainer of runner-up I’m Thunderstruck and Chris Waller the trainer of third placed El Bodegon.
Before heading down to the greet Anamoe in the winner’s circle, Cummings and Keogh shared a quiet celebratory moment.
Sent off the $2.40 favourite under James Mcdonald, Anamoe held-off the fast finishing I’m Thunderstruck ($10) to score by a long neck with El Bodegon ($6.50) a long head away third.
With seven Group 1 wins, Anamoe now becomes the greatest winner at the highest level for the Godolphin conglomerate eclipsing northern hemisphere gallopers Daylami and Fantastic Light.
McDonald gave Anamoe a gun ride having the four-year-old positioned in the one-one position leaving the straight where Zaaki led from Alligator Blood with Profondo tucked away in third place and the pace was not strong.
Passing the 600m, McDonald edged out to start creeping forward as Zaaki and Alligator Blood started to up the pressure as Profondo began to wilt.
Shortly after turning for home, McDonald urged Anamoe to the lead as the last comers, I’m Thunderstruck and El Bodegon, issued their challenge before the winning post arrived.
“He’s a beautiful horse Anamoe and he’s been a pleasure to train but that’s a proper horse race,” Cummings said.
“The best horse race I’ve had anything to do with.
“It’s a humbling experience for me but I’m just grateful I can be a part of a horse as great as Anamoe. It’s an unbelievable feeling, it’s got me a little lost for words, but I’ll find them there somewhere.
“The truth is he’s just had a gun preparation, a couple of times it hasn’t been plain sailing, but my team have come together in phenomenal fashion to have him arrive in nearly perfect shape.
“Halfway through the race I couldn’t help but feel very calm about it. There were no surprises, everything went to script, and we had the horse in absolutely mint condition to perform.”
McDonald said he could feel the tension in the build-up to the Cox Plate and did not know how Hugh Bowman had handled the pressure of riding Winx to win the race on four occasions.
He said the Cox Plate was the race he wanted for the trophy cabinet.
“Level playing field, the best of the best,” McDonald said.
“It takes bravery, guts, determination from all these horses and always it seems the best one wins.
“It goes back to Greg Childs and Sunline, Bossy and Makybe Diva. Those are the races you live and dream of as a kid and now I’m living it.
“It’s incredible.”