Two of the spring’s Cox Plate-bound stars face off in an excellent edition of the 2022 George Main Stakes field this weekend in Sydney.

Anamoe is favourite to win the 2022 George Main Stakes in Sydney on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart.
Zaaki and Anamoe renew rivalries when they head markets on the Group 1 $1 million George Main Stakes (1600m) over the Randwick mile on Saturday.
The George Main Stakes is the first of the seven-figure features during this year’s Sydney Spring Racing Carnival, and the event has drawn 10 final acceptors.
Sitting top of the latest George Main Stakes betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au is the Godolphin-raced Anamoe at a current quote of $2.05 and firming.
First-up the James Cummings-trained Street Boss four-year-old was impressive dominating the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at the track on August 20.
Anamoe has a strong second-up record (4:2-1-1), and the valuable entire also boasts an excellent strike-rate at Randwick (5:3-1-0) ahead of the Geoge Main.
The Winx Stakes has proven a gun guide to the George Main Stakes in recent years.
Saturday’s favourite is looking to continue that trend, and Anamoe will jump from barrier eight with James McDonald continuing associations.
Favourites in the George Main Stakes odds have dominated the results over the past decade or including 10 winners from 2010 – 2021.
Odds-on favourite Verry Elleegant ($1.75 in 2021) was the last top elect to salute for the punters, and Chris Waller’s mighty mare went on to win last spring’s Melbourne Cup race later that prep.
The danger occupying the second line of betting at $3.20 is the Annabel Neasham-trained Zaaki in gate seven with Tommy Berry in the saddle.
Zaaki was also impressive first-up last start when the evergreen eight-year-old won the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) here in the mud by nearly two lengths.
The last horse to complete the Tramway Stakes – George Main Stakes double was Sincero (2011).
Both Zaaki and Anamoe are looking to atone later in the spring with eyes on the Group 1 $5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m).
Zaaki was the pre-race favourite for last year’s Cox Plate before his race morning scratching.
Anamoe ran in the Cox Plate only to finish a devastatingly close second behind Irish raider State Of Rest.
The only other single-figure fancy in the markets outside the dominant duo is the Chris Waller-trained Fangirl at $9.50.
Waller has an imposing record in the George Main Stakes having prepared eight of the past 10 champions.
This spring the master trainer saddles-up two chances led by four-year-old Sebring mare Fangirl.
The bonny bay won the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (1850m) at Newcastle in the autumn, and she returned to run an eye-catching second to Anamoe in the Winx Stakes.
Jockey Hugh Bowman sticks aboard Fangirl on Saturday, and the pair will jump from barrier three.
The inside alley meanwhile belongs to Fangirl’s stablemate, Hinged, who will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy from gate one.
Hinged is also a Group 1 winning mare for Waller; she won the Surround Stakes over 1400m here on a Heavy (10) back in February.
Ultra-consistent having placed top four at Group 1 level in her subsequent three autumn assignments, Hinged returned with a Winx Stakes fifth that she is out to improve on here as a $17 outsider in betting.
No George Main Stakes winner has saluted at double-figures since Road To Rock ($41 in 2009).
The 2022 George Main Stakes is scheduled to run as Randwick Race 7 at 3:15pm (AEST).
Click here for the latest George Main Stakes betting odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.
2022 George Main Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw
No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 31x21213x1 | ZAAKI (GB) | Annabel Neasham | Tommy Berry | 7 | 59kg | 117 | ||
2 | 2x6x00x25x | MAXIMAL (GB) | John O’Shea | Sam Clipperton | 9 | 59kg | 103 | ||
3 | 12x31219x1 | ANAMOE | James Cummings | James McDonald | 8 | 58.5kg | 116 | ||
4 | x8x33120x6 | CONVERGE | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 10 | 58.5kg | 108 | ||
5 | 121x04x34 | PROFONDO | Richard Litt | Brenton Avdulla | 2 | 58.5kg | 107 | ||
6 | 10x96117x0 | DUAIS | Edward Cummings | Joshua Parr | 5 | 57kg | 116 | ||
7 | x3214x718x | MONTEFILIA | David Payne | Jason Collett | 6 | 57kg | 115 | ||
8 | x649333x72 | ICEBATH (NZ) | Brad Widdup | 4 | 57kg | 108 | |||
9 | 11x15410x2 | FANGIRL | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 3 | 56.5kg | 107 | ||
10 | 26x71324x5 | HINGED | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 1 | 56.5kg | 102 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.