Preview – $10m Golden Eagle

Way, way less mid-race pressure here than when a good 6th after racing 3-wide all the way in the very strong and exceptionally fast run The Everest last start. Extra trip on paper looks a worry but he is tough and has drawn impeccably. Nash returns to ride and he travels so sweetly for Nash. Should be in top 4 all the way and looms large.

SCRATCHED

Drawn to get the best run in the race here but after storming to the lead last start in the Silver Eagle over 1300m he was run down by Vienna Princess. That’s a worry but he has a lot of talent and must be considered.

Draw has effected his chances. Actually looked the one to beat had he drawn a decent marble. So, what happens now? Well, he has to go hard early and try and cross the field and find the fence, otherwise he is trapped wide all the way. If he achieves this, and can stack them up, he’s still a big player.

Is extremely smart and is now perfectly fit. Ran astonishing sectionals when a fast-closing 5th in the $5m King Charles behind Fangirl and Mr Brightside. Prior to that should have won the Gr 1 Epsom over a mile. Back on home track here and is ready to run the race of his life.

SCRATCHED

Back in Sydney after a solid campaign in Melbourne up against the very best in the land. Best run was 2hen 3rd in the Gr 1 Makybe Diva over a mile. Is trained here and loves this track. Is also very fit and should be about 6th with cover to the bend. Can finish very hgrd. Chance.

Form in restricted grade has been excellent including a fast win this trip here in August. Stepped up a long way in grade last start when at $41 he was last for home but dashed home for an eye-catching 2nd to Vienna Princess running past Pericles late. Extra trip will suit.

Has been thrashed in similar races at past 3 starts and looks tested here also.

Former Singapore star now with Gai and Adrian. On Aussie debut with them wasn’t far away when beaten 3 lengths by Vienna Princess in the Silver Eagle. Has run a very fast 1400m and should improve from that first-up effort. Very rough place chance.

Queensland galloper who can run a good mile. Gets back and finishes hard but is up against vastly superior horses than he normally races. Not keen.

To win any Group race in Japan makes you a good galloper but to win in super fast, world class time makes you a major threat in anything. This bloke resumes here. He has resumed twice in the past and is unbeaten when fresh. Has run a 1400m faster than all of these. Has drawn perfectly and looks the one to beat.

Former English galloper now with Gai and Adrian. Has placed at Gr 2 level in England but was pretty plain on Aussie debut last start when fading 11th to Vienna Princess in the Silver Eagle. Not keen.

English galloper with ability. Is an Ascot Gr 3 winner over 1408m and is a Gr 3 placegetter in Ireland. Is on debut here in Australia under Chris Waller now. Prefer to see but has ability.

Solid Group campaigner from England here solely for this. His form is strong but always in slowly run races. Will find this a lot harder early as they will fly along and that could bring him undone on Aussie debut.

Hmmm, what do we make of this mare? Has raced 12 times and only once, looked ordinary – that being last start when she just didn’t want to be in the Gr 1 Toorak won by Attrition running 9th. The start prior had run a record at the Valley over a mile to win a Gr 2. Is capable of beating these if her mind is on the job.

Is so honest and talented. But the draw here is a massive concern. On the quick back up from a great 2nd beaten a nose last weekend by Espiona in the 1400m Invitation. If she finds cover and gets clear room in the straight she can finish hard but finding clear room is a big concern.

Superstar from New Zealand and these super horses from NZ always race well here. Finished brilliantly to win the Gr 1 Aust Guineas at Flemington in March. Latest run was a strong stakes winner in NZ over a mile. Is very honest, is extremely gifted and finishes like a train. Have in your numbers.

Well, can she do it again? Unbeaten in 2 starts this time up including a very impressive win in the 1300m Silver Eagle last start beating many of these incluuding Strait Acer and Pericles. Has not fired at this trip previously but then again has not been in this kind of form and when mares are in form…

Has run some nice races but recently form is poor. Last start was making fair ground late in the Silver Eagle when 8th to Vienna Princess. Draw is woeful so needs to go a long way back which kills off any chance.