Anamoe is a stakes winner at distances ranging from five furlongs to a mile and nearly won the Group 1 Cox Plate at 1 1/4 miles in Australia in October. Distances are not a major issue for the 3-year-old Australian-bred colt who has his 2022 debut in Saturday’s Group 2 Expressway Stakes at six furlongs at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney. The distance is shorter than his recent starts, but the versatility Anamoe has shown in his 11-race career is expected to lead to his sixth win. Thursday, Anamoe was the 4-5 favorite in early betting to win the $140,700 Expressway Stakes, which drew a field of eight. Trained by James Cummings for Godolphin Racing, Anamoe was beaten a nose by the Irish shipper State of Rest in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley Racecourse on Oct. 23, Australia’s leading weight-for-age race. Prior to that, Anamoe was second by a head in the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes at seven furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on Sept. 25 and won the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas at a mile at Caulfield Racecourse on Oct. 9. The busy month led to a rest for Anamoe, who is by Street Boss. The Expressway Stakes against older horses is considered a prep for more prestigious races for 3-year-olds in Australia in coming months. This will be Anamoe’s first start at six furlongs since a win in the Group 2 Run to the Rose Stakes for 3-year-olds at Kembla Grange in September, his first start in five months. James McDonald rides Anamoe, who races as a closer. Standout, a 5-year-old horse, and Forbidden Love, a 4-year-old filly, are part of the Expressway field. :: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing Standout won the 2020 Expressway, but is winless in 12 subsequent starts. This is his first start since he finished 11th in the $733,500 The Hunter Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs at Newcastle on Nov. 13, finishing 5 1/2 lengths behind 3-2 favorite Lost and Running. Forbidden Love won the Group 1 Surround Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs at Royal Randwick last February, but is winless in her last seven starts. Forbidden Love had a busy campaign in late October, finishing third in the $1.49 million Invitation for fillies and mares at seven furlongs at Randwick and 10th in the $5.64 million Golden Eagle Stakes for 4-year-olds at 7 1/2 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on consecutive Saturdays. The Expressway Stakes is the seventh race on a 10-race program that begins at 8:25 p.m. Eastern or 5:25 p.m. Pacific on Friday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com. Saturday’s leading race at Moonee Valley in Melbourne is the Group 2 Australia Stakes at six furlongs. The field is led by the undefeated 5-year-old mare Marabi. Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Marabi will have her group stakes debut in the $246,365 Australia Stakes against 11 rivals. Marabi won her stakes debut in the Christmas Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs at Caulfield Racecourse on Dec. 26. As of Thursday, Marabi was 4-5 in early betting compared to Lightsaber and Sinawann at 7-1. Marabi is quick enough to lead, but is also as effective as a stalker which will give jockey Ben Allen options in the opening quarter-mile.