Grand Eagle looking to swoop at Randwick

Talented two-year-old Grand Eagle will get another shot at city success this weekend, and Nash Rawiller is back aboard hoping to keep their partnership perfect at Randwick.

The colt lines up in the ATC Bookmakers Recognition Day Handicap (1100m) after breaking through at Hawkesbury with Rawiller, who became taken by the colt during a recent trackwork session.

“Nash rode him in a gallop and really liked him,” said co-trainer Gerald Ryan. “He went to Hawkesbury just for this horse and got the result.”

Grand Eagle's first two runs hinted at potential—he was green when runner-up at Warwick Farm and didn’t respond to blinkers at Newcastle. A more patient ride without headgear paid off last start.

“He still does things wrong,” Ryan said. “He wandered when he hit the front at Hawkesbury, but Nash thought it was because he got there too soon. He’s improving each time.”

The colt meets a quality field on Saturday, including Kindergarten Stakes third Beskar and the resuming Gobi Desert, who contested the Inglis Nursery after winning the Max Lees Classic earlier in the season.

Regardless of the outcome, Grand Eagle will be spelled following the run, with Ryan keen to give the youngster a break after his fourth start.

“He’s earned a bit of time off,” Ryan said. “We’re excited about what he might come back as next time.”