Anaconda Jones established a clear-cut lead after anticipating the start of the MC Equine Surfaces Hcp (1000m) at Belmont on Wednesday and he was never in danger of surrendering that winning margin.
The Steve Wolfe-trained sprinter had won an Ascot 2yo maiden in April and put the writing on the wall with a first-up third to Dawn Dancer (Headwater) last month despite returning to scale with self inflicted abrasions to the off-hind leg.
“He made his own luck and settled a lot better today,” stable rep Tamara McGuiness said as the even-money favourite returned to scale. “He missed some work while down in Albany because the grass track wasn’t quite ready. He won a trial after coming back to Perth last week but at this stage we will only take it one step at a time.”
Anaconda Jones is bred to motor as a son of I Am Invincible sire Brazen Beau who completed a Group 1 Flemington straight-six double in the 2014 Coolmore Stud Stakes and 2015 Newmarket Hcp.
Westbury Park owner Phil Ibbotson purchased his dam Vivaro (Exceed And Excel) for $160,000 from Godolphin at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast. She was a 1000m winner at Moonee Valley and her final foal is a 2yo Brazen Beau colt named Defiant Beau.
Wolfe and Commercial Bloodstock agent Noel Carter paid $60,000 for Anaconda Jones at the 2025 Perth Magic Millions and they went back and bought Defiant Beau for many of the same part-owners from Westbury Park for $50,000 at this year’s Swan Valley Sale.
Anaconda Jones gave stable jockey Shaun Mc Gruddy a stress-free ride in front to score by a couple of lengths eased down from Mystic Smile (Awesome Rock) and Juniper (Russian Revolution).
“He was fast and a bit keen out of the gates today but will learn to relax and use that turn of foot while going through the grades. And when I took the saddle off you could tell he will be fitter for the win.”