Favourite Anamoe FINALLY gets the Cox Plate Winx denied it after storming home at Mooney Valley

James Cummings’ Anamoe is officially the Australian champion weight for age horse after finally adding the Cox Plate to the trophy cabinet on Saturday.

Anamoe’s graduation to the upper echelon of modern-day Australian turf greats was confirmed in the $5 million race.

Continuing an unbeaten spring, Anamoe delivered when it mattered most for world racing superpower Godolphin and the operation’s Australian trainer James Cummings. 

The favourite ran the perfect race at Mooney Valley to lead heading down the stretch and finally go from bridesmaid to Cox Plate champion, etching its name as one of Australia’s greatest ever horses. 

The win means that Anamoe stands alone as the greatest after returning as a four-year-old to claim seven Group 1 races in a season – the first horse in Australian history to achieve that feat. 

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Cox Plate runner Anamoe had perfect preparation leading into the big race at Mooney Valley

James Cummings, right, the grandson of Aussie racing great Bart Cummings is congratulated after his horse Anamoe etched its name into Australian horse racing folklore

The four-year-old, beaten in controversial circumstances last year by Irish raider State Of Rest, deserved an audience in his bid for redemption and he didn’t disappoint his growing legion of fans.

Under James McDonald, Anamoe rallied brilliantly when the race got serious and he surged to the front on Moonee Valley turn.

He established a clear margin, leaving I’m Thunderstruck and El Bodegon to make late bids as they narrowed the margin.

The win ensured Cummings emulated his famous grandfather Bart as a Cox Plate-winning trainer. 

Cummings was lost for words after the victory.

‘Look, he is a beautiful horse, Anamoe. He has been a pleasure to train but that’s a proper horse race,’ he said.

‘And the best horse race I have had anything to do with. So it is a humbling experience for me but I’m just grateful that I can be part of a horse as great as Anamoe. 

You know, it is…it’s an unbelievable feeling. It has got me a little lost for words but I’ll find them there somewhere.

 James McDonald celebrates after winning the Cox Plate on Anamoe at Mooney Valley

‘The truth is, he has 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 perfect shape and halfway through the race I couldn’t help feel very calm about it.

‘Because there were no surprises. Everything went to script. Dominic worked the race out beautifully throughout the week. And the horse, we had the horse in absolutely mint condition to perform. 

‘It is a proper Cox Plate and it is an absolute humbling privilege to be winning it.’

A huge crowd turned out for the Cox Plate Race Day at Moonee Valley in Melbourne

Jockey James McDonald admitted there plenty of nerves heading into the race as his mother is unwell and his partner Katie is heavily pregnant.

‘Hope I haven’t brought that baby on,’ he joked.

‘No, if she is watching at home, Kate – I know you are – can’t wait to see you tomorrow. There is a big team to thank. 

‘My mum has been a little unwell. That will hopefully give her a little kick in the belly and get going. I’m sure they will be in tears, I would have thought.

‘Proud of everyone behind this team in terms of Anamoe’s preparations being faultless. 

‘Everyone, I probably left out a few people as well but most importantly the horse is unbelievable.’