Neither the race day lead-up nor the race itself went quite to plan for Godolphin colt Anamoe, but he showed his quality to deliver a fighting win in the Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill.
Jockey Hugh Bowman was a race day scratching due to illness, forcing trainer James Cummings to bring in Tommy Berry as a late replacement.
“It was not ideal on race morning that unfortunately, Hugh (Bowman) was indisposed and didn’t make it,” Cummings said.
“Tommy Berry didn’t have a whole lot of time to think about the race.
“But sometimes a change of jockey, a new set of hands and interesting things can happen.”
Anamoe jumped smartly and in a race devoid of pace, was able to settle fourth and closer to the speed than anticipated.
He launched his run down the outside and got the better of Ranch Hand before Hilal surged through nearer the inside to make a race of it.
But Anamoe ($1.70 fav) proved up to the task, lifting again to beat Hilal ($10) by a half-neck with Converge ($7) doing his best work late another 1-1/4 lengths away.
“It was the closest he has been in a race ever and it forced him to dig deep when a late challenger came,” Cummings said.
“A resilient win from him and a perfect building race as he steps into his preparation.”
Berry said he would be better for his experience on the colt and that in hindsight, he went for him too soon.
“He gives you a bit of a false feeling. Coming to the corner and even when I cruised up, I felt like he was going to take a bit of hard work to get the job done,” Berry said.
“When I gave him a smack around the bum he really took off and I got there way too early on him.
“If I get the chance to ride him again, I’ll wait a little bit longer.”
Hilal was arguably the surprise packet of the race and co-trainer Michael Hawkes was thrilled with his performance.
He will get the chance to exact revenge on Anamoe in the Randwick Guineas (1600m) in two weeks.
“It took a very good horse to beat him in Anamoe,” Hawkes said.
“The further he gets, the better he will be and he loves Randwick and once he gets there it will be a different kettle of fish.”
Berry will miss the Randwick Guineas meeting after being charged with careless riding aboard Anamoe.
He is free to partner Jamaea in the Surround Stakes next Saturday before beginning the penalty and returns in time for Coolmore Classic day.