The 3-year-old was opposed by a small, but select, field in the age group sprint and he turned it into a procession with a performance that will have slot holders for the $15 million The Everest on notice.
Anders is prepared by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and their depth in the 3-year-old ranks was later emphasised by Holyfield (I Am Invincible), who also produced a bold front-running performance to triumph in the G3 De Bortoli Wines Ming Dynasty.
Maher had thought the G1 Moir S. against the older horses at The Valley was the perfect target for Anders, but plans may now be open to change.
“I wouldn’t be afraid to put him in any race with the speed he’s got. I thought the Moir over 1000 metres with a decent weight pull would be the ideal race for him, but you would have to consider The Everest – he was very, very impressive,” Maher said.
Anders cleared the gates quickly to head to the front and was well clear into the straight and never showed any signs of flagging on his effort with 3.3l on his closest chaser at the finish.
“Not many horses can run the sectionals he can and be strong on the line. It gets you going a bit,” Maher said.
“Not many horses can run the sectionals he can and be strong on the line. It gets you going a bit.” – Ciaron Maher
Anders won twice as a 2-year-old last season, but has made significant progress since a break as he showed when he resumed with an effortless victory in the Listed Rosebud S. earlier this month.
“He is very good and I was saying to one of the owners he’s possibly our best. I’ve had a very high opinion of him and I thought he could have been a Magic Millions horse,” Maher said.
“What he showed us at home he wasn’t transferring to the track, but he has developed and matured so much from a 2-year-old to a 3-year-old colt.
“He’s strong and he was a little bit keen today so I may have been a bit soft on him. He’s a very exciting horse and the team has done a great job with him.
“He is in impeccable order and it's a pleasure to train and have anything to do with.”
“He is in impeccable order and it's a pleasure to train and have anything to do with.” – Ciaron Maher
Anders was a $670,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase from breeder Arrowfield Stud by Aquis and Maher. He is a half-brother to the winner and stakes performer Battleground (Snitzel) with their dam the unraced Madame Andree (War Emblem {USA}).
“My mother is a part-owner as well so lucky Mum. She would have been doing a few laps with the rosary beads!” Maher said.
Rider James McDonald had ridden Anders in a 2-year-old victory and he said he was never in any danger of defeat.
“I wanted them stretched out, he’s a very quick horse and was never going to stop. He was just so happy out there.
“In the first furlong I just went at my own speed and then let him increase around the two bends. The others were all first-up and he’d had a run so he was very fit. On the good ground I knew he would excel, he’s got such a powerful action.”
Anders as a yearling
Peltzer (So You Think {NZ}) lost his unbeaten record when a game second ahead of Mamaragan (Wandjina), who made ground from last ahead of the filly Every Rose (Choisir). The previously undefeated Doubtland (Not A Single Doubt) was never a factor and only beat Osamu (Exceed And Excel) home.
Depth among 3YOs
Maher and Eustace, who also have the dual Group 3 winner and Group 1 placegetter Prague (Redoute’s Choice) among their 3-year-old ranks, have yet to lock in Holyfield’s spring program.
“It was great and Aquis and Phoenix have had a huge year. I thought his run first-up was good and we just had to ride him a bit quiet with the weight and the heavy track,” Maher said.
Holyfield, who won the G3 Baillieu S. last season, finished sixth when resuming under 59kg in the G3 Up And Coming S. and showed the benefit of that when proving too slick under a well-judged front-running ride from Tim Clark.
“With that run under his belt and being back to a good track boded well and Tim rode the horse very well,” Maher said.
“I’ve always thought he would be a Guineas horse. We haven’t worked it out yet, but he was laying in a fraction so the Melbourne way might suit him better.”
Holyfield was offered at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by breeder Segenhoe Stud. Holyfield was bought by Aquis and Phoenix Thoroughbreds for $800,000. He is a son of the G1 Myer Classic and dual Group 2 winner Hurtle Myrtle (Dane Shadow).
