Golden Eagle, horseracing 2023: Runner-by-runner guide for $10 million Golden Eagle

The $10 million The Golden Eagle (1500m) has drawn together an outstanding field for just its fifth running at Rosehill on Saturday and here is our assessment of the form of each of the runners.

The four-year-old set weight contest is the second richest race in Australia after it was introduced to the racing calendar in 2019.

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The past winners were Kolding (2019), Colette (2020), I’m Thunderstruck (2021) and I Wish I Win (2022).

This year’s field includes eight Group 1 winners and six international raiders. The 20 runners consist of 15 entires and geldings and five mares.

Here is a runner-by-runner analysis of every horse set to line up on Saturday:

Scratched: 2) Attrition, 6) Rediener

1) HAWAII FIVE OH (Barrier: 4)

Jockey: Nash Rawiller, Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott. TAB: $4.60

Hawaii Five Oh is a giant of a horse with plenty of ability. He won twice at Group 3 level last season then ran a very good third to superstar Think About It in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap. He’s been unlucky this spring including his narrow loss to Think About It in the Premiere Stakes and again when sixth to that horse in The Everest. Hawaii Five Oh finally gets out to a more suitable 1500m and he will be in the finish.

Verdict: He’s been solid in the best sprints in the land. If there’s a query it’s 1200 to 1500m.

3 – PERICLES (Barrier: 1)

Jockey: Ben Melham, Trainer: James Cummings. TAB: $10

Pericles scored successive wins including the Group 2 Tramway Handicap impressively then had a setback, missing the Epsom. He ran well in the Silver Eagle finishing third and will be fitter. Pericles was Group 1 placed at 2000m last season so he has the stamina but also has the tactical speed to race in a forward position. He will be hard to beat.

Verdict: Been kept on the fresh side for much of the spring. Drawn to get all favours.

4 – GOLDEN MILE (Barrier: 18)

Jockey: Zac Lloyd, Trainer: James Cummings. TAB: $34

Golden Mile won the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas last season and returned to top form with his dashing win in the Theo Mark Stakes earlier this spring. He ran a blinder when a close third in the Epsom and had excuses in the King Charles. He’s one of the main chances.

Verdict: Barrier 18 makes his task much harder.

5 – KOVALICA (Barrier: 16)

Jockey: Tommy Berry, Trainer: Chris Waller. TAB: $9

Kovalica won the Group 1 Queensland Derby last season and goes into the Golden Eagle in outstanding form after his fast-finishing second in the Epsom and luckless fifth in the King Charles. The likelihood of a fast-run race will suit Kovalica’s powerful finishing surge.

Verdict: Will need luck from barrier 16 but is good enough to overcome it.

7 – OSIPENKO (Barrier: 8)

Jockey: Jason Collett, Trainer: Chris Waller. TAB: $10

Osipenko won the Hobartville Stakes and Frank Packer Plate last autumn, and ran well at Group 1 level in the Caulfield Guineas (third) and Doncaster Mile (sixth). He’s only been placed once in four starts this spring but that was his third to Mr Brightside and Alligator Blood in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes. Below par last time in the Turnbull Stakes.

Verdict: At his best he’s in the mix and drawn to get his chance.

8 – STRAIT ACER (Barrier: 7)

Jockey: Tyler Schiller, Trainer: Edward Cummings. TAB: $51

Strait Acer is flying this spring, storming through the grades and improving with every run. He won three races in succession and secured his place in the field with his fast-finishing second in the Silver Eagle. Blessed with brilliant closing speed.

Verdict: X-factor runner drawn to get ever chance.

9 – COMMUNIST (Barrier: 12)

Jockey: Koby Jennings, Trainer: Michael Freedman. TAB: $126

Communist showed outstanding ability last autumn winning the Group 1 Randwick Guineas and running a close sixth in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes. He’s struggled in three starts this spring but with luck in running he can run a competitive race.

Verdict: Not going well enough.

10 – COIN TOSS (Barrier: 17)

Jockey: Brett Prebble, Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott. TAB: $101

Coin Toss was a top three-year-old in Singapore and won the Guineas at his last start there before joining the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable. He resumed in the Silver Eagle and never really got into the race when ninth to Vienna Princess. The step up in distance is in his favour but others have more appeal.

Verdict: Should appreciate the extra trip but draw hurts.

11 – KNIGHT’S CHOICE (Barrier: 10)

Jockey: Jaden Lloyd, Trainer: John Symons & Sheila Laxon. TAB: $126

Knight’s Choice came to Sydney with a big reputation after reeling off four successive wins including his impressive effort in the Winx Guineas to close out his three-year-old season. He’s been unplaced in two runs this spring but his last start fifth in the Filante Handicap was full of merit after he got involved in a scrimmage on the home turn. Improver but has to go to a new level against this outstanding field.

Verdict: Outclassed here.

12 – OBAMBURUMAI (Barrier: 2)

Jockey: Joshua Parr, Trainer: Keiji Yoshimura. TAB: $11

Obamburumai is a lightly-raced Japanese-trained galloper with two stakes wins from his five starts. His most recent run was in a Group 1 race back in May where he finished a close third. Obamburumai has settled in well at Canterbury, his trackwork has been impressive, and his Japanese form puts him right in this race.

Verdict: Impossible to line up but the Japanese should always be respected.

13 – NEW ENDEAVOUR (Barrier: 13)

Jockey: Adam Hyeronimus, Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott. TAB: $101

New Endeavour is a former English sprinter-miler who boasts a minor placing in the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes at Newmarket and a Group 2 second in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury to his credit. He was never on the track in his Australian debut when 11th in the Silver Eagle and he could be a big improver.

Verdict: Needs to find plenty and a tricky gate to overcome.

14 – AGE OF KINGS (Barrier: 11)

Jockey: Craig Williams, Trainer: Chris Waller. TAB: $61

Age Of Kings is a lightly raced but obviously talented entire who was tested at Group 1 level in the Irish 2000 Guineas earlier this year when unplaced behind the outstanding Paddington. But Age Of Kings did win the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. His two trials since joining the Chris Waller stable have been hard to read but he is very highly rated.

Verdict: Trials have left a lot to be desired. Willing to risk.

15 – GALERON (Barrier: 14)

Jockey: Regan Bayliss, Trainer: Charles Hills. TAB: $151

Galeron is a classy English miler who won the Goffs Millions and was competitive at Group 1 level earlier this year including his fifth in the Irish 2000 Guineas behind Paddington. He has impressed at Canterbury trackwork since arriving in Sydney and it’s a good pointer to his chances that trainer Charlie Hills is making the trip down under for the Golden Eagle.

Verdict: He’s the pick of the international raiders. Tricky draw.

16 – AMELIA’S JEWEL (Barrier: 5)

Jockey: Damian Lane, Trainer: Simon A. Miller. TAB: $4

Superstar mare Amelia’s Jewel won the Group 1 Northerly Stakes last season and resumed with successive wins in the Let’s Elope Stakes and Stock Stakes. She was then well below her best in the Toorak Handicap but there were legitimate excuses. Amelia’s Jewel has been the long-time Golden Eagle favourite and is still the one to beat.

Verdict: Worthy favourite drawn to get every favour.

17 – RUTHLESS DAME (Barrier: 20)

Jockey: Sam Clipperton, Trainer: Ciaron & David Eustace. TAB: $19

Ruthless Dame defeated the older mares in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes last autumn and ran a good fifth in the Stradbroke Handicap. She has improved steadily with each run this spring and showed she was back to top form with narrowly beaten by Espiona in The Invitation last week.

Verdict: Barrier 20 makes this quality mare’s task all but impossible.

18 – LEGARTO (Barrier: 6)

Jockey: Michael Dee, Trainer: Ken & Bev Kelso. TAB: $7

Legarto is an extremely gifted Kiwi mare who unleashed a brilliant finish to collar Attrition in the Group 1 Australian Guineas earlier this year. She has had two runs this spring and including her easy win in the Matamata Cup last start. Legarto does tend to get back in her races but with even luck in running, her elite closing speed will put her right in the mix.

Verdict: Kiwi star with solid form and the right barrier.

19 – VIENNA PRINCESS (Barrier: 9)

Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy, Trainer: Chris Waller. TAB: $31

Vienna Princess has come of age this spring, resuming with an easy win at Rosehill then handling the class rise with ease with a dominant effort in the Silver Eagle. She was very impressive last start and although this is harder, she continues to improve with racing.

Verdict: Improved mare that is drawn to produce a career best.

20 – RAZETA (Barrier: 15)

Jockey: Dylan Gibbons, Trainer: Kris Lees. TAB: $151

Razeta is a dual stakes winner but most of her best form has been on rain-affected going. However, she can perform on firmer tracks and has been improved by three runs from a spell. She wasn’t beaten far when eighth in the Silver Eagle last start but there are easier races for her.

Verdict: Ready to win but this is the wrong race and the draw doesn’t help.

This story first appeared at Punters.com.au and was republished with permission.