Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou were pleased to see Grand Eagle deliver on his early promise with a convincing win at Hawkesbury on Wednesday, and they hope it signals a big weekend ahead for their juvenile team at The Championships.
In just his third career outing, Grand Eagle powered to a 1-1/4 length victory in the Good Luck Paris Eaton Handicap (1100m), stamping himself as one to watch.
The colt had previously run second at Warwick Farm and fourth at Newcastle behind future Group 1 placegetter Buffalo. Alexiou noted the decision to remove blinkers made a significant difference this time.
“He ran off the track at Warwick Farm at his first start so we put the shades on to try to help straighten him up and concentrate on things a bit better. It just backfired on us,” Alexiou told Sky Racing.
“He was at his top the whole race (at Newcastle) and never finished off, which was the first time that had ever happened. The last furlong is normally his best.
“Nash (Rawiller) rode a really patient race on him today and he was strong through the line.”
Whether Grand Eagle races again this prep or heads to the paddock will depend on how he recovers, but jockey Nash Rawiller is confident the colt has a bright future.
“I loved him today. He got to show his turn of foot. I shut him straight down early and he’s a horse that will really go on with the job now, I reckon,” Rawiller said.
Ryan and Alexiou will look to keep their momentum going on Saturday when they saddle up three fillies in the $1 million Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m).
Dream Side is set for a rematch with Memo, who beat her in the Magic Night Stakes. Sequista resumes after finishing third in the Inglis Nursery (1100m), while Pleasure Queen rounds out the trio.
“Sequista beat Bjorn Baker’s filly, Within The Law and Memo in a trial on Friday. She has done enormous,” Gerald Ryan said.
“Dream Side has done terrific too. We gave her a week in the paddock and she worked nicely on (Saturday) morning.
“Pleasure Queen will go there too. She won on debut and didn’t have much luck at her next start.”
The stable has enjoyed a strong run with their two-year-olds this season, notching seven wins, including black-type success in the Pago Pago Stakes with Skyhook and the Black Opal Stakes with King Of Pop.