The $7.5 million Golden Eagle for the four-year-olds takes place at Rosehill this Saturday.
It’s a massive field of 18 runners plus four emergencies and with plenty of forecast rain around Sydney, it could be a very wet track.
We’ve gone through each of the runners to hopefully help steer you into the winner.
Runner-by-runner guide to the Golden Eagle
(Selections at bottom)
1. Alligator Blood
David Vandyke/Ryan Maloney (57.5kg)
Barrier: 15
TAB Odds: $7
The Group 1 Australian Guineas winner comes into this third-up after two placings so far this preparation. He was narrowly overcome in the Silver Eagle when Flit was able to gun him down to win by 0.4 of a length. He has drawn barrier 15 but there does not look to be a ton of speed in the race so he should not have too many issues in finding his way towards the lead. He comes into this rock-hard fit and should be ready to peak third-up but his wet track form is a query as he has never had a run on a heavy surface.
What they say: “We’re going to need luck from the barrier and he’s going to have to handle the wet track to win, so there are a couple of unknowns there. Funstar loves the wet, so we’re going to have to be right on our A-game to win this,” Vandyke told AAP.
2. Brandenburg
John Sargent / Regan Bayliss (57.5kg)
Barrier: 14
TAB Odds: $26
Comes into this after a freshen up since his run in the Group 1 Epsom behind Probabeel four weeks ago. He has had a tick-over trial in since that run which was a nice piece of work and should be in peak condition for his fourth run this preparation. The wet track should suit him nicely with solid runs in races like the George Ryder, Randwick Guineas, Doncaster Mile and the Hobartville last preparation all coming on wet surfaces. Expecting a good showing.
What they say: “This time in he’s been on hard tracks, they’ve been pass marks without being brilliant. I’ve changed a lot around; he’s been jumping, and the side winkers go on and the rain is about so I think you will see a different horse,” Sargent told Racing NSW.
3. Superstorm
Grant & Alana Williams / Josh Parr (57.5kg)
Barrier: 19
TAB Odds: $14
Looks a solid chance after a terrific return to form last start when he rattled home from back in the field to finish third in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap on Caulfield Guineas day behind Mr Quickie. He is unlikely to get a strong tempo in this like he got last start and the wide barrier will likely force him to go back in the field or ride for luck going forward. The expected heavy track is also a query for this four-year-old son of Sebring as he has never run on that surface before but his father was a good wet tracker so we could see him relish in the conditions.
4. Dawn Passage
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott / Tim Clark (57.5kg)
Barrier: 16
TAB Odds: $19
Hit the line nicely first-up to finish third behind Flit and Alligator Blood in the Silver Eagle after settling at the back of the field and charging home late over 1300 metres. He has good form over the 1400 metres, with three wins over the trip (one 1350m) last preparation including two Group 3 successes. Was not that far off them first-up and will take plenty of benefit from that run into this second-up. He is another who will need a bit of tempo if he settles back in the field from the wide barrier but if she can come into it, she could go could close again like. He has good form on a soft rated track but had the one start on a heavy surface which was unplaced so the conditons might be a slight query.
What they say: “We’ll trifecta the race! I’ve got great confidence. All three can handle the wet, so hopefully one of them can win and the others run well. I’m very happy with all three,” Waterhouse laughed when speaking about her contenders on Racenet.
5. Riodini
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott / Brenton Avdulla (57.5kg)
Barrier: 7
TAB Odds: $15
Continues to improve with every run and he ran superbly last start to finish third in the Group 1 Epsom behind Probabeel. He is lightly raced and looks to be quite progressive. He has had a strong trial since his Group 1 placing and looks to get a terrific run from barrier seven with not a lot of speed in the race. He is untried on a heavy track, but he has ran on a soft surface once before which he won. Looks over the odds.
6. Windstorm
Grant & Alana Williams / Glyn Schofield (57.5kg)
Barrier: 8
TAB Odds: $21
This four-year-old son of Redoute’s Choice comes into the race with slightly different form having run his last five races in Melbourne since coming across from Western Australia. He has been in good form and knows how to win (seven wins from 11 career starts) and has been exposed to rain-effected tracks. He has a terrific record of four wins and a placing on six runs on soft surfaces and while he has not seen a heavy surface yet in his career, his wet track form has merit to suggest he could handle the conditions well.
7. Reloaded
Chris Waller / Robbie Dolan (57.5kg)
Barrier: 11
TAB Odds: $61
Comes into this after having six weeks off with his last run being a fifth in the Group 3 Bill Ritchie over 1400m behind Probabeel. He was reasonably well-supported that day after running a big race first-up in the Group 2 Tramway when placing behind Dreamforce. The wet track is a query but if he could rediscover his Tramway form, he could give this a big shake at massive odds.
8. Just Thinkin'
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott / Kathy O’Hara (57.5kg)
Barrier: 21
TAB Odds: $51
Would need to lift on his previous performances to be competitive in a race like this. He gets a tough draw with an outside barrier as he will need to try and cross a few speed horses off the inside barriers to find the front. He also has not seen a heavy track before and his form on soft surfaces is just fair. His best run this preparation came three starts back when finishing second to Rock in the Group 3 Cameron at Newcastle on Cup day and he would need to reproduce that run plus more to go close in this.
9. Bottega
Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou / James Innes Jnr. (57.5kg)
Barrier: 4
TAB Odds: $18
Comes into this off the back of two solid performances this preparation where he has been beaten by a combined one length in the two races. His first was behind the flying Prime Candidate while his last placing was behind Criaderas, who he meets here again. He will appreciate the extra 100m for this and has performed quite well on wet tracks. Is well drawn and should be in for a big run third-up.
10. Criaderas
James Cummings / Keagan Latham (57.5kg)
Barrier: 10
TAB Odds: $17
Is one of the big unknowns in the race. The four-year-old son of Lohnro is very lightly raced with just six careers starts but has shown great progression this preparation. He has not missed a place yet in his career and some of the sectionals he has reeled off, albeit in weaker races, shows evidence of his talent. This is by far the toughest test of his career to date but he has had two runs on a soft track for a win and a placing and comes into this off the seven-day back-up after flying home behind Cuba last Saturday to finish second at Randwick. Well drawn and could produce anything.
What they say: “I think he’s a live chance. I think you are going to need a very fit horse on Saturday. I think he’s a bit of an up and coming star for us, a bit of a sleeper and he’s drawn probably an ideal gate for him – middle of the pack,” Godolphin spokesman Darren Beadman told Sky Racing.
11. Flit
James Cummings / Rachel King (57.5kg)
Barrier: 17
TAB Odds: $15
She bounced back to form with an impressive win last start in the Silver Eagle when finishing over the top of Alligator Blood. She has reasonable form on rain-affected surfaces and has two placings from two runs on the heavy with one of those coming first-up this preparation behind Eduardo. She will likely go back in the field again from that barrier and will be hoping for a solid tempo to bring her into the race like it did for her last start.
What they say: “Her first run was an absolute bottler (in the Missile Stakes) but then she went off the boil a little bit. That run may have just taken the edge off her but James freshened her up, gave her a trial in between and four weeks between runs. She came out and hit the line in fine fashion to win the Silver Eagle,” stable spokesman Darren Beadman told Sky Racing.
12. Funstar
Chris Waller / Tommy Berry (55.5kg)
Barrier: 22
TAB odds: $5
Ran well but was no match for Probabeel in the Epsom. Drops back to 1500 metres where she is 1 from 1. The wide draw is not ideal and may force jockey Tommy Berry to make a decision of whether he goes back or forward. There’s plenty of rain around in Sydney which suits as she has a great record on heavy tracks (3:2-1-0) and a solid record on soft (6:3-1-0). If it weren’t for the unknown of the draw, she might be shorter than $5.
What they say: “I think and we hope she’s the best horse in the race and the wet track doesn’t disadvantage her whereas it is going to disadvantage others. The conditions of the race suit her, in terms of being restricted (to four-year-olds), and the distance and track is spot on. She’s had a few weeks between runs but she trialled well and is ready to rock and roll,” Waller’s assistant Charlie Duckworth said.
13. Colette
James Cummings / Koby Jennings (55.5kg)
Barrier: 6
TAB odds: $7.5
Perhaps has not returned as expected this prep after a dominant wins in the Adrian Knox and ATC Oaks in April. Has been solid without really threatening this time in, including two runs at Group 1 level. Gets a nice draw here and can improve as another who likes a soft track. If she can be a bit handier in the run, then she’s a very strong winning hope.
Godolphin spokesman and former star hoop Darren Beadman says Colette is the stable runner he’d like to ride of the three including Criaderas and Flit.
What they say: “She’s a little superstar. She took it all before her in the autumn. She loves the soft ground, she relishes it. A very fit horse, very game, it wouldn’t surprise me to see her figuring in the finish. I’d ride Colette,” Beadman told Sky Racing.
14. Subpoenaed
Chris Waller / Jay Ford (55.5kg)
Barrier: 2
TAB odds: $26
Couldn’t quite go with them in the Silver Eagle, finishing second last. It was an ok run as she finished less than three lengths from the winner Flit. Her impressive victory in the Golden Pendant at Rosehill on September 26 will give connections hope that she can be competitive here.
What they say: “The draw is probably not perfect for her because she can be slow away and waste a good draw and she generally runs better with a bit of open space. The Eagle will be run later in the day and they will be getting off the fence, so it should allow her plenty of space to let down and if she brings her best I think she is right up to them,” Waller’s assistant Charlie Duckworth said.
15. Emeralds
John Sargent / Jason Collett (55.5kg)
Barrier: 18
TAB odds: $31
Beaten by Subpoenaed two back before digging deep to nut Greysful Glamour on the line in the Group 3 Angst. That was a very tough win but she has had three weeks to recover. The wide draw is not an enormous issue as she’s been getting back in her recent races. Would need to improve again to be in the finish.
What they say: “Jason said she was a lot better than the start before, he thought she’d gone up a level. I think she’s on that upward trend and she will give it a shake on Saturday,” Sargent told Racing NSW.
16. Sierra Sue
Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young / Nash Rawiller (55.5kg)
Barrier: 1
TAB odds: $12
Won two on the trot this preparation including her last-start triumph in the Group 2 Kingston Stakes at Flemington where she snuck a lovely trail up on the rail. Has won five of seven career starts and the stables loses nothing with the appointment of Nash Rawiller with regular jockey Michael Walker remaining in Melbourne.
17. All Saints’ Eve
John O’Shea / Sam Clipperton (55.5kg)
Barrier: 3
TAB odds: $34
After winning the G3 Tibbie at Newcastle she stepped up to the Angst at Randwick where she came from the rear to finish midfield. Was well behind Emeralds there and loses regular rider James McDonald.
18. Icebath
Brad Widdup / Tom Sherry (55.5kg)
Barrier: 5
TAB odds: $23
Backing up after last Saturday’s win on a Heavy 8 in BM78 grade. Was no match for Flit two back. Rises in class but likes it wet and can figure in the finish if she runs to her absolute best.
What they say: “Icebath goes into the race on the back of a brilliant win at Randwick last Saturday and I’m sure she won’t disgrace herself. It’s probably the closest I’ll ever get to having the chance of winning a $7.5m lottery. We’re very happy to be there, and as long as the mare runs well, I’ll be happy,” Widdup told Racing NSW.
Emergencies
19. Stockman
Joseph Pride / TBC (57.5kg)
Barrier: 9
TAB odds: $101
Well held at BM78 level and has been better suited over further.
20. Enchanted Heart
Kris Lees / TBC (55.5kg)
Barrier: 13
TAB odds: $201
Last-start winner in lesser class. No match for a Group 3 field at Randwick last prep when she was checked and also bled.
21. Fender
Brett Cavanough / TBC (57.5kg)
Barrier: 12
TAB odds: $151
Has been fair in two runs after his first-up win. Huge odds.
22. Air To Air
Jason Coyle / TBC (55.5kg)
Barrier: 20
TAB odds: $201
Last three starts has been well behind All Saints’ Eve, Subpoenaed and Emeralds. Cannot recommend.
Selections
13. Colette
12. Funstar
5. Riodini
11. Flit
16. Sierra Sue
Betting strategy
Back both Colette and Funstar to WIN
Small bet Riodini EACH-WAY