With the breeding season approaching, a half-sister to Cox Plate champion Anamoe has registered a timely win at Sandown.
Blue Willow, a daughter of Blue Point from the Redoute’s Choice mare Anamato, scored in the IVE> Handicap (1600m) on Wednesday.
While the race may not have had the importance of any ‘Black Type’ status, it does however mean that Blue Willow is a city winner which Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, said was important on her pedigree page.
Sent out the $2.40 favourite under apprentice Jabez Johnstone, Blue Willow ran out a 1-¾ length winner from Baywatch ($9) with Tempranillo ($5.50) a further 6-½ lengths away third.
“That’s her Grand Final,” Turnbull said.
“That’s a great result for Godolphin and everyone involved.
“She’s a talented mare but it hasn’t worked out for her in the last couple of starts with barriers and race patterns.
“It was a good ride by Jabez. He took his time, got on the back of something and had a bit of fake cover and kept her balanced and it was good to see her finish off.”
Anamoe won 14 of his 25 starts including the 2022 Cox Plate among nine wins at Group 1 level and is beginning to forge a career as a stallion.
Like his half-sister, Anamoe’s first metropolitan win came at Sandown, taking out the Merson Cooper Stakes at his second start.
Turnbull said the stable would be guided by the Godolphin team which includes Australian Managing Director Andy Makiv along with Racing and Bloodstock Manager Jason Walsh.
“The breeding season is coming up, and she does have a lot of quality and value there,” Turnbull said.
“It’s great to get the win there and we can work the rest out later.”
Johnstone, who rode the Godolphin-owned Custom to victory at Caulfield on Saturday, said it was satisfying to get another winner in the Royal Blue colours.
“I mentioned last Saturday that it’s an absolute privilege to be riding in these colours and winning in them,” Johnstone said.
“She handled the conditions very well and to win the way she did without being under the stick, was a pretty dominant effort.”
Blue Willow was the second of four winners for the Maher and Johnstone combination who also teamed to win with Stay Silent in the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Handicap, Foire De Trone in the Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap and Here’s Matilda in the Tile Importer Handicap.
