Anaconda Jones established a clear-cut lead after anticipating the start of the MC Equine Surfaces Hcp (1000m) at Belmont on Wednesday and 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 McGruddy 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.”
