The third edition of the $7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) will be run and won at Rosehill this Saturday in what is shaping up to be another exciting installment of Sydney’s answer to Derby Day in Victoria.
Three internationals are set to contest this year’s race with promising galloper Count De Rupee, Laws of Indices and the John O’Shea-trained Maximal all stepping out.
Last start Toorak Handicap winner I’m Thunderstruck remains the favourite under Hugh Bowman, while Private Eye looks a top chance following his upset win in the Epsom Handicap a few weeks ago at Randwick.
Who will follow in Kolding and Colette’s footsteps?
Be sure to read our thoughts on each runner in our 2021 Golden Eagle Preview below.
Private Eye
Private Eye has had a trial in between runs following his brilliant win in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick earlier in the month.
The son of Al Maher let down beautifully out wide to win right on the line, and he’ll likely take a similar sit on Saturday after drawing wide in barrier 17.
He looked good in his trial last week behind Dawn Passage and the step back to 1500m looks ideal.
Any rain on the day would be a big plus.
I’m Thunderstruck
Group 1 Toorak Handicap winner I’m Thunderstruck looks the horse to beat in this year’s Golden Eagle.
The son of Shocking shifted out down the straight before unleashing a powerful turn of foot to win by a length over Tofane on the line.
He’s won four of his six starts this time in work and is drawn to do his best work late with Hugh Bowman jumping into the saddle.
The decision to send him to Sydney instead of running in the Kennedy Cantala at Flemington is an interesting one, but there’s no doubt this race is just as winnable based on what we saw from him last time out.
Aegon
Aegon has mixed his form this time in work but tends to do his best racing with a few runs under his belt.
He weakened out to finish well down the straight in the Makybe Diva Stakes after racing on the speed, but was good late in his first-up run when fourth in the Memsie Stakes.
1500m might be the happy medium for him, but barrier 20 complicates matters.
Apache Chase
Apache Chase is in search of his hat-trick following back-to-back wins in Queensland.
The Desleigh Forster-trained gelding resumed for a narrow win at Listed level in Toowoomba before dropping back a grade to win by 1.5L at Eagle Farm two weeks ago.
This is a step up, but the son of Better Than Ready does look up to it after finishing second to Private Eye in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas during the Winter Carnival.
Aysar
It’s been over a year since Aysar last won a race and his recent form doesn’t suggest another one is around the corner anytime soon.
He was beaten only a length fourth in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield last month but struggled to go on with it in a much easier race at Flemington last time out.
Has had a trial in between starts but will only find this tougher.
Aim
Aim is hoping to become the first horse to complete the Silver Eagle – Golden Eagle double on Saturday.
The four-year-old got up by the barest of margins in his first run back and has been kept fresh for the run with three weeks in between.
We know he’s capable of a big finish, but where he winds up from barrier 14 is the big query.
Amish Boy
Amish Boy has mixed his form this time in work, opening the spring with a narrow runner-up at Caulfield to Masked Crusader in The Heath before finishing seventh in the Silver Eagle 2.5L behind Aim.
He has raced well at the top level in the past though, most notably finishing third to Zoutori down the Flemington straight in this year’s Newmarket during the autumn.
Has placed previously over 1500m but needs to improve on recent efforts.
Exoboom
Exoboom bounced back from a disappointing run in the Silver Eagle to win a much easier race at Randwick last week.
The son of Exopshere has won over 1500m in the past but would need to produce something special in a race of this quality.
Ellsberg
Ellsberg hasn’t missed the money in four starts at Rosehill and will likely roll forward after drawing low in barrier 1.
The four-year-old has resumed in good form with a first-up win over 1400m prior to a narrow second to Aim in the Silver Eagle last time out.
He’ll only be fitter for recent racing, and while he won’t want it too wet, he’ll likely take some catching up on the speed.
Love Tap
Love Tap is a proven performer over this trip with two wins from three starts on his resume.
The Freedman-trained galloper comes in off a four week break and has since had a trial in between his last-start fourth in the Group 2 Shannon Stakes over the track and trip.
He’s proven on all going, and although this is a step up in class, he does look a decent knockout chance from the low draw.
Count De Rupee
Count De Rupee brings strong form into the Golden Eagle after finding the money in each of his last three starts.
The four-year-old out of Real Impact won by a two-length margin at Kembla Grange first-up over shorter and overcame a wide run in transit to get up for third in the Silver Eagle.
His finish last time out over the final 100m was full of merit and he should be afforded a lovely run in behind the speed on Saturday. Must be taken seriously.
Laws of Indices
Laws of Indices is making his Australian debut on Saturday under the care of Annabel Neasham.
The Irish import won the Group 1 Jean Prat over 1400m at Deauville back in July and hasn’t been seen at the races since his last-start eighth in the Maur De Gheest earlier in August.
Tough to know what to expect on debut, but the fact most of his racing has come on soft tracks means he should appreciate any rain about.
Maximal
Maximal is also making his debut down under.
The Galileo entire has won only one race from eight starts over in Europe, but stamped himself as a horse to watch when he finished runner-up to the unbeaten Baaeed at Newmarket back in July.
John O’Shea’s four-year-old has done his best racing on top of the ground and has also placed in both his starts first-up from a spell.
Despite suffering a broken jaw, Sam Clipperton has taken the ride and he appears to be on one of the top chances if he can offset the sticky gate.
Reve De Vol
Reve De Vol is the third and final international in this year’s Golden Eagle and looks to be a real horse with potential from the Annabel Neasham yard.
The Irish raider won the Listed Orby Stakes over further at The Curragh earlier in the year and was second over 2000m in the Group 3 Royal Whip last start.
He is another one that would probably prefer some sting out of the track, but the barrier is definitely to his advantage.
Forbidden Love
Forbidden Love returns on the quick backup following last week’s effort for third in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick.
The mare by All Too Hard probably could have won if she wasn’t held up between the 400-300m mark, but the turn of foot she showed once clear was certainly impressive.
The awkward barrier is a concern, but she’s rock-hard fit for four runs back and definitely looks up to this.
Vangelic
Vangelic was super brave last week in The Invitation and really deserved to run a place.
The mare out of Vancouver led for most of the way before she was swallowed up over the final furlong, a run that does make her a slight question mark stepping out to 1500m for the first time.
She has won previously at Rosehill before, but with a few likely to roll forward, this doesn’t look any easier.
Media Award
Group 1 Australasian Oaks winner Media Award is having her second run back following a luckless outing in last week’s The Invitation.
The Shamus Award mare did all the hard work from the wide draw, only to be held up down the straight with 400m to spare.
She faces a similar task here from barrier 9, but could sneak a place based on her second-up form.
Atishu
Atishu won the Group 3 Bill Ritchie at Randwick two starts back prior to a game effort for sixth in the Epsom last time out.
She’s nearly four weeks in between runs and is also racing at Rosehill for the first time in her career.
Her form has been solid since she journeyed to Australia back in August and there’s a case to be made for her in the minors.
Kiku
Kiku strips fitter for two runs back but looks a little outclassed in this field.
The Zoustar mare filled the minors three weeks ago in the Group 3 Angst Stakes at Randwick over the mile and it’s tough to know if she’s looking for 1500m now.
The horror gate only complicates matters.
Our Playboy (EM)
Our Playboy capped off his winter prep with a massive six-length win in the Winx Guineas on the Sunshine Coast but failed to produce that same form when second-last at Eagle Farm first-up.
This is his first look at a Sydney track and he won’t find this any easier.
Wheelhouse (EM)
Wheelhouse found himself too far back first-up in the Sydney Stakes where he rattled home late for seventh.
He ran well in the Randwick and Rosehill Guineas during the autumn but would need luck to go his way as the second emergency.
Blondeau (EM)
Blondeau has been racing well this time in work, albeit against much easier company.
This looks a much tougher test.