Golden Eagle – 2020 tips, preview and runner by runner

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There is a full field of 18 runners plus 4 emergencies for the $7,500,000 Golden Eagle and many of the more fancied runners have drawn out wide. Four of the field had their last start in the Silver Eagle on 10 October and four had their last start in the Epsom Handicap on 3 October. Two of the mares and an emergency had their last start in the Angst Stakes on 10 October while the other  runners all came through different races. Chris Waller, James Cummings and Gai Waterhouse & A. Bott have three runners each, while Grant & Alana Williams and John Sargent have two runners each.

The early favourite is Funstar who has was 2nd in the Epsom Handicap last start and goes well on heavy going but has drawn the widest barrier. Second favouritism is shared between Alligator Blood who came 2nd in the Silver Eagle last start and has won 9 of his 14 starts, and Colette who came 2 lengths 6th in the Epsom and won four in a row last preparation, including the Group 1 Australian Oaks on a heavy track.

Sierra Sue has won 5 of her 7 starts and has drawn the inside barrier.  Flit won the Silver Eagle last start beating Alligator Blood and Dawn Passage but is another who has drawn very wide. Riodini raced on the speed to come 3rd in the Epsom last start. Superstorm is a WA visitor who has been racing in Melbourne and was 3rd in the Toorak Handicap at his latest outing. Criaderas has won 4 of his 6 starts and placed in the other two and has a very powerful finish, while Dawn Passage ran 3rd in the Silver Eagle first-up. All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Alligator Blood

This talented All Too Hard gelding has won 9 of his 14 starts, including the Group 1 Australian Guineas in the autumn, and placed in three. He resumed after 26 weeks with a length, 0.1 length 3rd over 1110m at Dommben on 12 September, then jumped awkwardly and bumped another runner soon after the start when 0.4 length 2nd in the Silver Eagle over 1300m at Randwick on 10 October. Has to be included in the main chances.

2. Brandenburg

Both his wins have been over 1400m, but he was placed in the Doncaster Mile in the autumn and wasn’t far away (2.4 length 8th) in the Epsom Handicap last start. Rough hope.

3. Superstorm

He’s been racing in Melbourne where he was 3rd in the Toorak Handicap at his last start 3 weeks ago. Has won over this distance but drawing barrier 19 has not helped his chances.

4. Dawn Passage

Resumed after 18 weeks for 3rd in the Silver Eagle where he came from well back and had the best 800m-200m race sectional. Needs a little luck from barrier 16 but is good enough to feature in the finish.

5. Riodini

Former New Zealander with 4 wins and 4 places from 9 starts. He came 2nd in the Group 2 Shannon Stakes then 3rd in the Epsom Handicap and has won a trial since then. Capable of an upset.

6. Windstorm

Has won seven from 11 including successive races at Caulfield before finishing 5th in the Moonga Stakes last outing. All his wins have been from 1200m to 1400m and he might find this too hard.

7. Reloaded

One of 3 Waller runners, he has only one win from 10 starts but has placed twice in Group 1 company. I won’t be backing him.

8. Just Thinkin’

Barrier 21 will probably make things too hard for this So You Think gelding who goes very well over 1500m.

9. Bottega

He has placed in both runs since resuming but they were both in benchmark 88 handicaps. Looking elsewhere.

10. Criaderas

I like this Lonhro gelding that has 4 wins and 2 places from 6 starts. He chases hard at the end and has ran some very good race sectionals. He looks a nice each-way bet.

11. Flit

This mare won the Silver Eagle over 1300m, beating Alligator Blood and Dawn Passage who are both chances here. She is a Group 1 winner of the 2019 Thousand Guineas over 1600m, and is right in the mix here. Like many of the better chances she has drawn wide.

12. Funstar

Drawing barrier 22, the widest barrier is where this mare will start from. The track is likely to be rain affected and she has good form on soft and heavy going. She has been 2nd in the Group 2 Theo Marks and the Epsom Handciap at her latest two starts and if she had drawn a good barrier her price would be much shorter. She will run well and should be there at the finish.

13. Collette

Another handy mare from the Godolphin stable, she won the Oaks in the autumn and has won 2 from 2 on heavy going. Make sure you include her in the exotics.

14. Subpoenaed

She won the Golden Pendant at the end of September and didn’t have any luck when 6th in the Silver Eagle. Could place.

15. Emeralds

She has been going well this campaign and had the best last 600m race sectional of the day at distance with her narrow win in the Angst Stakes last start. Not the worst.

16. Sierra Sue

Has won both starts this campaign to give her 5 wins and a place from 7 starts. She has talent and the advantage of the inside barrier so could run a place.

17. All Saints’ Eve

She has 2 wins from 3 starts this campaign but this is a much tougher.

18. Icebath

Loved her 4 length win on heavy going at Randwick last start but don’t really expect to see her in the finish.

19. Stockman – 1st Emergency

Big rise in grade. Not here.

20. Enchanted Heart – 2nd Emergency

Won a midweek at Kensington last outing but looks outclassed here. Not expected to get a start.

21. Fender – 3rd Emergency

Looks outclassed. Not expected to get a start.

22. Air To Air – 4th Emergency

Hasn’t beaten many home at her last 2 starts and looks outclassed.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
12 Funstar
10 Criaderas
11 Flit
1 Alligator Blood

Group 1 Victoria Derby 2020 (Flemington 2500m)

Group 1 Cantala Stakes 2020 (Flemington 1600m)

Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes 2020 (Flemington 1200m)

Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes 2020 (Flemington 1600m)

Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes 2020 (Flemington 1600m)

Group 3 Hotham Handicap 2020 (Flemington 2500m)