2/11/19 Rosehill tips and best bets: Golden Eagle Preview 2019

Australia's best four-year-old's will scorch the Rosehill turf this Saturday, competing for a cool $7.5 million in the inaugural Golden Eagle race. 

With a mixed bag of form-lines and a sprinkle of international talent, the 1500m clash is set to be an absolute beauty. 

Ten of the 16 runners enaged have recorded a victory at Group level, with only four boasting Group One success. 

The Chris Waller trained Arcadia Queen has come up the short-priced favourite off the back of a curious preparation.

After being touted as one of the best gallopers in Australia, it remains to be seen if this mare can live up to the hype.

 Rosehill Track Traits

Rosehill Gardens is currently rated a Good 4, with the rail in the true position the entire circuit. 

Jumping from the 1500m, jockeys have 450m to find their position in the run. 

With fine conditions forecast for Sydney over the coming days and the rail positioned true, punters can expect the track to play fair.

 Racing Market Movers

Kolding has firmed from $6.50 into $5.00 in early betting markets.

Punters have come for his stablemate and race favourite Arcadia Queen, who has been backed as if unbeatable from $4.00 into $2.80. 

 Key Runners

#1 Brutal $5.50

The winner of this year's Doncaster Mile surprised most with a strong first-up win over 1200m. 

Surprisingly, he was then kept at the 1200m distance but perfomed admirably in the Group Three Sydney Stakes where he finished 3 of 13. 

The step-up to 1500m here is a huge tick and the wide barrier is far better than an inside draw. Jumping from barrier 17 will give Tommy Berry 450m to find his feet and cross to lead. 

The only query if any, is the dry tack. His best performances have come on rain affected surfaces and while he's won three from six on Good tracks, they've been in far lesser races than this. 

I expect him to drift on race day and could well get out to a generous price. He's one of only four winning chances for me! 

#2 Classique Legend $7.50

Found plenty of dead-ends running an unlucky sixth in The Everest. 

Considering he was set to peak for the 1200m, the impending high-pressure 1500m journey is a huge concern.

This is his first run beyond 1250m and although he flew home in The Everest, that shouldn't be used as a guide when assessing his ability to run this trip out. 

This looks like a throw at the stumps and I highly doubt he can run a strong 1500m.

He looks under the odds and it would be a shock to see him win. 

#3 Kolding $6.50 > $5.00

A genuine Group One winner who has had the perfect prep. 

He defeated Fierce Impact second-up over 1400m, with that runner dominating in the Group One Toorak Handicap at his next start. 

He then defeated Te Akau Shark third-up in the Epsom Handicap, with the gap to third a sizeable 3.1 lengths. 

The Kiwi subsequently franked that form by running third in the Cox Plate. 

He looked great in a recent trial with Glen Boss aboard and I suspect that he is ready to produce a career best run on Grand Final day. 

He's drawn perfectly in barrier four and ticks all the boxes.

Clear top pick.  

#4 The Inevitable $10

The little Tasmanian with a huge heart dug deep last start, defeating the talented Fasika in the Silver Eagle. 

His career strike rate suggests he'll give 100% on race day and from barrier three, he'll get every chance. 

Having won at 1400m and 1600m, the rise in distance is no issue. However, he appears to lack the class of some rivals in this race. 

Gets the dream run and will be thereabouts, but I can't see him winning. 

#14 Sunlight $27

The winner of eight Group races including three Group One's, this mare is a genuine star. 

If the race was run over 1200m, she'd likely start favourite. However given she's never raced beyond that distance, it's difficult to make a case for her here. 

She compounded after sitting on-pace in The Everest and will now be asked to sit on the speed and kick over 1500m. 

There is more chance of Winx returning to the track than Sunlight winning this race! Next. 

#15 Arcadia Queen $4.00 > $2.80

This mare is clearly not suited over the 1200m and demonstrated that at her last effort in The Everest, where she looked completely out of her comfort zone. 

Her failure couldn't have come as a surprise to connections, who obviously couldn't resist the lure of huge prizemoney and publicity. 

On paper she's got the best record of any mare in this race, but there must be serious questions asked about her prep. 

The opening $4.00 quote looked skinny, but the current $2.80 is genuine unders and should be left alone. 

The barrier draw is a positive, as is her middle distance record. If she has taken no ill effect from her last run, she can figure in the finish. 

However at the price, you wouldn't back her with someone else's money!

#16 Mizzy $35

With three wins and a third to her name this prep, this mare continues to turn up and produce the goods. 

She had every possible chance last start and was outclassed by both The Inevitable and Fasika, with both runners likely to have more upside than her. 

I doubt she's up to them, but there is no doubt she'll run top half of the field.  

#17 Fasika $23

Did all the work in the Silver Eagle, falling narrowly to The Inevitable.

The difference in price between the two is ridiculous. Now third-up at her ninth career start, she's ready to produce a peak run for her Grand Final. 

The Silver Eagle form-line looks a little below the form of a Doncaster or Epsom, however she is the one to follow from that race and there is no doubt she can run top four. 

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