Gerald Ryan was all smiles after Grand Eagle delivered a thrilling victory at Randwick, backing up the decision to keep him in Australia rather than sending him abroad.

The two-year-old colt, a son of Farnan, is part-owned by Hong Kong racing icon John Moore, who initially considered transferring him overseas following his maiden win at Hawkesbury.

But after an impressive trackwork session, jockey Nash Rawiller convinced Moore the youngster had much bigger targets ahead in Sydney’s spring carnival.

“Nash rode him work before he went to Newcastle (at his second start) and put a huge wrap on him,” Ryan said.

“John was thinking about taking him to Hong Kong and Nash said, ‘don’t take him to Hong Kong, he will be winning good races in the spring’ so he goes out (for a spell) now.”

Among the major spring options on the table is the prestigious Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m).

Ryan noted Grand Eagle has always displayed natural talent, although his racing manners took time to develop, pointing to early waywardness at Warwick Farm and a misfire with blinkers at Newcastle.

Removing the headgear worked wonders, culminating in back-to-back wins at Hawkesbury and then at Randwick in Saturday’s ATC Bookmakers Recognition Day Handicap (1100m).

“He has always promised to be a lot and I always thought this horse wasn’t very far behind (Black Opal Stakes winner) King Of Pop,” Ryan said.

“But King Of Pop is so professional and this horse wanted to do a bit wrong.

“His main aim this time was going to be the Baillieu and he was doing things wrong so we said to John, ‘forget about that and just educate the horse first’. He was just thinking too much.”

Grand Eagle ($7.50) settled last early but produced an explosive finish under Rawiller to defeat Akaysha ($4.20) by a half-length, with Hidden Motive ($3 fav) in third another 1-3/4 lengths behind.

Rawiller believes the more conservative tactics unlocked the colt’s best form.

“I think we have found the key to him,” Rawiller said.

“He is still very green but he was strong late and he’s a nice horse. He’s a beauty.”