Sydney Preview: In Secret, Anamoe begin autumn campaigns

The Sydney autumn carnival continues its kick into gear this weekend. Australia’s leading middle-distance horse Anamoe and top sprinting filly In Secret are the most notable horses beginning their campaign at Randwick.

Here we look at the two most important races of the day.

Race 7, 12:00 a.m. Saturday ET: Light Fingers Stakes (G2), 1,200 meters (about six furlongs), 3yo fillies

Light Fingers Stakes Selections

• #1 In Secret
• #11 Sunshine In Paris
• #5 Sheeza Belter
• #2 Fireburn

Light Fingers Stakes Wagers

• $3 trifecta: 1 with 5, 11 with 2, 4, 5, 11
• $1 trifecta: 11 with 1, 5 with 1, 2, 4, 5

Barring Flight Stakes (G1) winner Zougotcha, this field is thoroughly representative of Sydney’s best sophomore fillies. However, there’s no doubt #1 In Secret stands above them.

The Godolphin filly raced four times in spring and never finished outside the top two. Her only conquerors were Zougotcha in the Silver Shadow (G2) and the Melbourne colt Jacquinot in the Golden Rose (G1), over seven furlongs. She then beat the colts, including Jacquinot, in the Coolmore Stud Stakes (G1) in Melbourne over what is probably her preferred six furlongs.

Most of her opponents are going to be better over longer distances, the likes of #2 Fireburn, #4 Madame Pommery, and #5 Sheeza Belter. The one that could potentially trouble her is #11 Sunshine In Paris, prepared by the astute Annabel Neasham. Sunshine In Paris has looked good coming through the grades in winning two of her three starts, but this is a big step up.

Race 8, 12:40 a.m. Saturday ET: Apollo Stakes (G2), 1,400 meters (about seven furlongs), 3yos and up

Apollo Stakes Selections

• #1 Anamoe
• #9 El Bodegon
• #2 Mo’unga
• #11 Fangirl

Apollo Stakes Wagers

• $10 win/$30 show: #9 El Bodegon
• $3 trifecta: 1 with 2, 9, 11 with 2, 3, 9, 10, 11
• $1 trifecta: 9 with 1, 2, 11 with 1, 2, 9, 10, 11

Though this is a seven-furlong sprint, almost all the runners are using this as a tune-up with longer races in mind. Therefore, it’s no surprise Cox Plate (G1) winner #1 Anamoe is a short-priced favorite in local markets.

Anamoe has won three of his four races at seven furlongs so it’s hard to go past him, but there won’t be great value.

If anything is going to beat him, it’s probably the import #9 El Bodegon. Second in the Prix du Jockey Club (G1) and Grand Prix de Paris (G1) last summer, he moved to Australia and put up a great effort for third in the Cox Plate at his first Australian start. He’s worth taking each way and in exotics.

#2 Mo’unga, #3 Laws Of Indices, #10 Icebath, and #11 Fangirl look the best of the others for exotics.