Golden Eagle 2023
Distance: 1500m | Conditions: Set Weights| Rail Position: True | Track Condition: Good 4
The Victoria Derby in Melbourne will take most of the attention this week, but the $10m Golden Eagle is sure to draw plenty of interest, and is gaining momentum with every passing year! Western Australian mare Amelia’s Jewel headlines the race, and will be looking to bounce back after a poor showing in the Toorak last start. With plenty of depth, she has her work cut out. Let’s try find a winner!
Speed Map
No genuine leaders in this but I think Redeiner will naturally take up the running from the inside, with Golden Mile rolling forward from the wide alley. Pericles should sit close with Hawaii Five Oh box seating for Nash. While there’s plenty who have been crucified by the barrier draw, Amelia’s Jewel, Legarto, Osipenko and Obamburumai should have no issues finding a nice run in transit, leaving it all to do for the likes of Kovalica, Ruthless Dame and Age of Kings.
Key Runners
1: 
Hawaii Five Oh (4)
The Waterhouse and Bott speedster arrives here out of a sound display in The Everest. Has been set for this all prep and steps up to the 1500m for the first time. While he’s drawn to receive every chance, I can’t entertain him at the price. Won the Fred Best and followed it up with a 2L second behind Think It Over in the Stradbroke but to my eye he didn’t see out a strong 1400m in either, so I have my doubts. Among the main chances.
3: 
Pericles (1)
Was flying early in the prep before being scratched leading into the Epsom. Turned in a bold effort in the Silver Eagle six weeks between runs and should improve off that. Any rain would enhance his chances.
4: 
Golden Mile (18)
Hard to catch this horse. Went forward in the King Charles and faded but WFA isn’t his go. He’s got some big results under his belt including a win in the Caulfield Guineas and Theo Marks, with some respectable efforts in the Epsom and Golden Eagle. Has plenty to do from the barrier but he’ll go better than his odds suggest.
5: 
Kovalica (16)
Was heading down a Cox Plate path before changing course for this. Got as short as $5 in Wishbet futures markets but his quote has doubled since drawing barrier 16. Has produced some massive runs this prep but simply been a victim of circumstance. If he drew a gate, he’d go close to being favourite in this so is still a play at each way odds.
6: 
Redeiner (3)
Epsom winner took up the running in the King Charles III and was swamped after setting a hot speed. Lumped a big weight and over-raced early, so happy to forgive. Dropping from WFA and was racing well prior. Overs.
7: 
Osipenko (8)
Showed plenty of promise earlier in the prep and looked ready to peak in the Turnbull but turned in a very average performance. Has been freshened for this, is a significant drop in class and finds a nice gate. Is an attractive betting prospect at $12.
8: 
Strait Acer (7)
Ed Cummings runner with plenty of upside. Was running around in BM72’s only a few months ago and after a huge effort coming from last to finish second in the Silver Eagle, he gets his chance against the best in his class. More depth in this but that last run was hard to ignore.
9: 
Communist (12)
Not doing anything to suggest he’ll be competitive here.
10: 
Coin Toss (17)
Was going around in Singapore before his Australian debut in the Silver Eagle last start. Worked home okay but too much going against him and Singapore form rarely stacks up out here.
11: 
Knight’s Choice (10)
Has some nice wins under his belt including the Winx Stakes back in Queensland. Hasn’t returned as good as a four-year-old, albeit in better races. Hard to make a case for him on recent efforts.
12: 
Obamburumai (2)
Lightly raced Japanese galloper who must be put on notice. Is a Group 1 placegetter and has notched up three wins from five starts back in Japan and looks a genuine athlete. Put together a nice bit of work midweek at Rosehill, and while there’s always a touch of hesitancy taking these foreigners in their first Australian start, there’s plenty of confidence this bloke will have no issues.
13: 
New Endeavour (13)
Drew the carpark and subsequently was three wide the trip in the Silver Eagle. Has respectable form back in the UK and may be a chance to bounce back.
14: 
Age of Kings (11)
Last start winner at Royal Ascot, getting a Group 3 win under his belt. Trials have been a little plain but wins at Royal Ascot speak for themselves. Barrier is no issue, over the odds.
15: 
Galeron (14)
UK galloper who’s run in some nice races but never really threatened. This looks a significant step up but respect any market support.
16: 
Amelia’s Jewel (5)
After a promising start to life in the east, Amelia’s Jewel started the Toorak at $2.40 and despite having every chance, she was found out when it mattered most, comprehensively beaten to finish a lacklustre 9th (6L). Jury is out on her but trainer Simon Miller claims her work has been as good as ever. I’m happy to watch her go around at the current quote, but respect any market support.
17: 
Ruthless Dame (20)
Had a ripper Autumn but seems to be struggling a little, albeit in some pretty sharp races. Hit back last start only to narrowly fall short to Espiona in The Invitation. Has it all to do from the barrier but will be fit and ready to peak fourth up.
18: 
Legarto (6)
Plenty of intrigue about Kiwi runner Legarto. Australian Guineas winner back in March and arrives here fresh of a very soft win in the Matamata Cup back in New Zealand. It’ll be her first look around Sydney but can’t imagine that’ll make much difference. Drawn to win and may just do that.
🏆Australian Guineas (G1)
1600m, $1,000,000
🇦🇺FlemingtonLegarto (NZ )
(3F Proisir – Geordie Girl, by Towkay)
J : Michael Dee
T :Ken & Bev Kelso
O :Mrs C J & P H Brown, A C & Mrs M E Enting, W J Foster…pic.twitter.com/CSMELCCfsg— 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙𝙍𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 (@WorldRacing1) March 4, 2023
19: 
Vienna Princess (9)
In form mare from the Waller yard who has taken big steps this prep. Won the Silver Eagle comfortably to make it two on the bounce, and will have to improve again to be competitive here but we’ve seen what mares with a bit of confidence can do. There’s worse.
20: 
Razeta (15)
Worked home okay in the Silver Eagle but never threatened. Won’t win.
Betting Strategy
This should be a cracking race but Legarto really puts her hand up for this in my opinion. I think the Japanese galloper in Obamburumai can also run a race at odds
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