Future ‘Rosy’ for Grand Eagle after impressive Randwick win

Gerald Ryan’s advice to retain Grand Eagle in Australia proved spot-on as the promising colt turned in an eye-catching victory in the opening race at Randwick on Saturday.

The two-year-old, by Farnan, is part-owned by retired Hong Kong training legend John Moore, who had been considering a move to Asia after Grand Eagle’s breakthrough win at Hawkesbury.

However, jockey Nash Rawiller, impressed by the colt’s early work, convinced Moore to leave him in Sydney for a spring assault.

“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.”

The Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) will be one of the prime targets Grand Eagle’s connections consider ahead of his next preparation.

Ryan explained that Grand Eagle had natural ability from the outset but initially lacked professionalism, citing his debut at Warwick Farm where he ran off and a below-par effort at Newcastle in blinkers.

After removing the blinkers, he rebounded with a strong win at Hawkesbury before stamping his class in the ATC Bookmakers Recognition Day Handicap (1100m) at Randwick.

“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.”

Settling at the rear of the field, Grand Eagle ($7.50) charged home under Rawiller’s guidance to defeat Akaysha ($4.20) by half a length, while Hidden Motive ($3 fav) finished a further 1-3/4 lengths away in third.

Rawiller believes the more patient ride brought the best out of the young galloper.

“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.”