Silver Eagle – 2022

Track: Heavy   Weather: Heavy Showers

Nineteen runners (five of which are emergencies) have accepted for the $1,000,000 Silver Eagle and there have been no early scratchings.

This is the fourth year of the Silver Eagle, which generally plays as a lead-up race to the Golden Eagle for the four-year-olds. The first three horses across the line are ballot exempt for the Golden Eagle, so running well here is a major bonus.

Mr Mozart has opened the $3.80 favourite despite his wide draw and looks likely to be Team Hawkes only runner with Tonneofgrit ($67.00) being the second emergency.

Startantes ($8.50) is on the second line of betting and has been plugging away with each run to peak in the Golden Eagle. Waterford ($8.50) is the other on the second line of betting and he is one of the four Chris Waller runners. He is yet to take defeat since debuting in Australia and has done it on all types of surfaces.

1. Mr Mozart (1)

Solid run first-up despite losing a plate and over racing throughout. Drawn awkwardly but has proven on the wet ground and over the distance.

2. Startantes (2)

Has plugged along nicely and is on target for his grand final. Drawn well and just needs air and you will see him hitting the line again.

3. Vilana (9)

First up after 119 days. Handles the conditions but this would be a tough task first up.

4. Kiss Sum (6)

First up after 119 days. Drawn wide here for his first up assignment and he generally goes okay fresh. Has handled the heavy in the past but this is very tough for an opening run.

5. Flying Crazy (13)

I can’t have him on his recent form.

6. Ranch Hand (10)

Gets the blinkers back on but recent form suggests he is just making up the numbers.

7. Brigantine (17)

Returned brilliantly after being gelded, winning in nice fashion first up. Extra 100m suits though the query is if he will handle the heavy going.

8. Loch Eagle (5)

Came from last at Canterbury to win in impressive fashion. He handles the conditions and the extra 100m helps him a lot. Drawn okay and will need a little luck but I expect him to run well.

9. Maurices Medad (12)

Slashing third a fortnight ago on resumption. Wet track won’t overly suit but he has drawn well.

10. Waterford (18)

Yet to lose here in Australia after three runs and is going for four in a row. The drop back to 1300m is a query but that might be their plan to have him peaking for the Golden Eagle. Should run a big race.

11. Cotehele (7)

Unlikely first-up.

12. Tonneofgrit (11)

Unlikely first-up.

13. Lavish Girl (15)

Ran third in the Thousand Guineas Prelude in heavy conditions which will have her ready for this. Up to 1300m suits and she is drawn well. Top chance.

14. Espiona (14)

I can’t take her here with the form she has.

15e. Global Ausbred (8)

Can’t have him here first up.

16e. Jimmy The Bear (16)

Looks outclassed

17e. War Eternal (4)

Can’t have him here.

18e. Stray (19)

Form doesn’t warrant him a chance here.

19e. In The Congo (3)

Looking elsewhere

The following are the top 4 selections for this year’s race.

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
10 Waterford	2 Mr Mozart
8 Loch Eagle	12 Waterford
9 Maurices Medad	13 Lavish Girl
1 Mr Mozart	9 Loch Eagle

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	3 Vilana
2nd	1 Mr Mozart	1.95 lengths
3rd	7 Brigantine	2.39 lengths
4th	15e Global Ausbred	2.45 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 6.

Scratchings: 14. Espiona, 16e. Jimmy The Bear, 17e. War Eternal, 18e. Stray, 19e. In The Congo.