Punt Drunk: Can anyone beat Anamoe this spring?

[Wandering Eyes]

The Monday edition of Punt Drunk is here as we delve into some of the big racing stories from over the weekend. We take a look back at the incredible victory by Incentivise in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes, the way Anamoe put his rivals to the sword in the Run to the Rose, and what the 2021 Everest field looks like just over a month out from the race.

Incentivise leads all the way in Makybe Diva Stakes

Incentivise claims his maiden Group 1 win in the Makybe Diva Stakes. (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)

All eyes were on the second coming of Phar Lap – aka Incentivise – in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes. Having opened up as a $7.50 third-elect with online bookmakers, there was continued support right throughout the week which saw the now Peter Moody-trained galloper start as a $3.80 chance on the local tote.

With Incentivise clearly being aimed towards the Melbourne Cup, it was something of a surprise to see the push in the market, but he won it with plenty left in the locker. The former Queensland-based galloper has been tightened into an outright $8.50 favourite for the Melbourne Cup, whilst he is now a $3.80 all-in market elect for the Turnbull Stakes on October 2 at Flemington.

Opinion: Anamoe will not be beaten this spring

How many Group 1 races can Anamoe claim this spring? (Steve Hart)

If Incentivise is the second coming of Phar Lap, what does that make Anamoe? Perhaps the three-year-old colt will create his own legend status this spring, considering how the Godolphin runner returned in such fine form at Kembla Grange in the Run to the Rose. Despite drifting in the market and many a punter needing to make sure he had his four legs prior to the jump, Anamoe looked to have plenty left in the tank despite the official winning margin being only 0.3 of a length.

The options are endless for James Cummings and the Godolphin team with Anamoe. He looks a near-moral for the Golden Rose Stakes on September 25 at Rosehill, whilst they can go either to The Everest or to the Caulfield Guineas for his following run. Wherever he goes, we have no doubt he will prove too hard for his rivals to run down, and we expect racing fans will be reminiscing about Anamoe’s achievements this spring in years to come.

Six of 12 runners locked in for The Everest

Rothfire has been locked in for this year’s running of The Everest. (Racing Photos)

The Everest is set to be run on October 16, and with just over a month to go, six of the 12 runners have been locked in. We already knew that Nature Strip, Masked Crusader, Lost And Running and Gytrash were confirmed starters, but over the weekend two more runners were selected to fill a slot in the $15 million race. Queenslander Rothfire has been named to start, almost 12 months to the day since a horrific injury suffered during the Golden Rose nearly ended his career. The other confirmed runner is the Joe Pride-trained Eduardo, who will look to add The Everest to his ever-improving resume.

With plenty of unknowns regarding the remaining slots, we wait with bated breath to see who else heads towards the world’s richest turf race.

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Monday Racing Tips – September 13, 2021

• Moe racing tips
• Moruya racing tips

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About Punt Drunk

Welcome to Punt Drunk! Our new daily column covering all the latest horse racing and punting controversies, dramas and headline news. Have a story or gripe or issue that just grinds your gears? Just hit us up in the comments or contact us page and our jaded, punt hardened Punt Drunk staff will give it the Punt Drunk treatment it deserves. Don’t expect pleasantries or typical racing media fanboy gloss from Punt Drunk – we’re on the punt and we don’t have time to bullshit; the next is about to jump…

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