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By Nick Berney

An in-depth look at every runner in the $10 million XXXX Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

1. Overpass (Bjorn Baker): Started $51 in the TAB Everest (1200m) and was honest battling on well for sixth place after chasing a fast tempo. He comes through an elite historical form reference, maps to have all favours and brings a competitive last start figure but some query stepping from 1200m-1500m.

2. Converge (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott): Has been disappointing this preparation on rain-affected tracks and was well beaten last start in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield. The gelding will need to improve significantly and has a tricky draw to contend with.

In The Congo (Pic: Bradley Photos)

3. In The Congo (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott): Sat outside the leader at a moderate tempo in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes (1200m) and looked the winner after skipping away at the top of the straight before being beaten right on the line. He will be fitter for that, the step up in distance is ideal, and his career peak performances have come at this track. Chance.

4. Vilana (James Cummings): Was impressive winning the Silver Eagle (1300m), and he did it in style. Further, he clocked one of the fastest 400m-200m splits of the meeting in 11.22 and maintained a strong finishing speed to the line. The Godolphin galloper is coming off a career peak figure/performance and will undoubtedly improve off that effort. However, he will have to overcome a horror draw. One for the exotics.

5. I Wish I Win (Peter Moody): Started a well-fancied $2.20 favourite in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m), and he loomed to win but just peaked on his run over the final furlong. Prior to that start, he savaged the line and clocked one of the meeting’s fastest final 600m sectionals in 33.28 to score at Sandown Hillside. The gelding's ratings profile suggests he can bounce back to a peak figure off a freshen-up and is suited back to 1500m. Chance.

6. Mr Mozart (Team Hawkes): Was 35 days between runs last start in the Silver Eagle (1300m), and he ran a brave second. Further, he had the bias against him, and he never shirked his task to the line. The Hawkes galloper is a consistent type with a strong record, and the wide draw isn’t a big negative with his racing pattern. One for the exotics.

7. Hilal (Team Hawkes): Has failed in his last two starts going in the anti-clockwise direction at Caulfield. He can bounce back with strong past-form lines but must contend with a tricky map.

8. Military Expert (Annabel Neasham): Started $5 in the Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m) but failed on a heavy track. Prior to that start, he was in career-best form and can bounce back going onto a drier track. He is rock-hard fit but another runner who must contend with a tricky map.

9. Lightsaber (Peter Moody): Had every chance when running sixth at Moonee Valley eight days ago and battled on fairly. He has struggled to find form this preparation and hasn’t won in a long time.

10. Pinstriped (Enver Jusufovic): Was run to suit in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) and ran on ok into sixth place. The gelding has improved each run this prep from a ratings perspective and is set to peak fourth-up. However, he maps to settle near the rear of the field and will have a lot to do from the wide draw.

11. Brigantine (James Cummings): SCRATCHED.

12. Light Infantry (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace): Was enormous in defeat last start running second in the Group 1 Haras De Fresnay (1600m) in France behind one of Europe’s best in Inspiral and the third placegetter Erevann has subsequently won a Group 2. Further, the contest was a high-pressure event on a straight track, and the four-year-old sprinted the fastest 400m-200m split of the race in 11.21 and maintained a strong finishing speed to the line. The import brings a dominant ratings profile relative to his rivals, is suited to the anticipated fast pace and will be hard to hold out if he can repeat his elite overseas form.

Light Infantry

13. Welwal (Chris Waller): Won the Group 3 Prix De Fontainebleau (1600m) last prep in France, and he did it in style cocking slick closing sectionals. The form has since been proven with Vadeni and Onesto winning Group 1 races overseas. The import, which is now in the hands of Chris Waller, has trialled well in preparation for this assignment. He brings slightly inferior figures relative to Light Infantry but can undoubtedly win if he gets luck. Chance.

14. Hinged (Chris Waller): Started $4 in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and was solid in defeat. The mare chased a strong tempo throughout and never shirked her task to the line. Moreover, that race rated highly relative to the day, even after adjusting for age, class and additional factors. She brings a nice profile for this, excels in high-pressure events, and can rate to win. Chance.

15. Fangirl (Chris Waller): Has been a victim of wet tracks this preparation and can be forgiven for her past two starts. She was outstanding first-up this prep on a soft 5-rated track where she had too much to do and ran the fastest final 400m split of the meeting. Additionally, the mare has a strong starting price profile against multiple Group 1 winner Anamoe. Expect her to get back from the draw, but she is a big improver onto a drier surface, and Hugh Bowman rides. Knockout chance and over the odds.

16. Chain Of Lightning (Peter Moody): Was an impressive winner last start in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) and produced her career peak figure. She has a fantastic record with only tasting defeat once and maps to have all favours. In addition, she has a strong platform for this, and her sectional profile suggests that the rise in distance will be no issue.

17. Gypsy Goddess (David Vandyke): Went out a winner before spelling after scoring in the Group 1 QLD Oaks (2200m). The interstate galloper hit the line well in a recent trial at Warwick Farm, and although she is suited over more distance, expect her to be savaging the line whilst others are tiring. The blinkers go back on, and she is one for the exotics.

18. Lady Of Honour (Ben & JD Hayes): Had every chance in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) and tried hard. She receives a few gear changes but will need to improve significantly.

19. Lavish Girl (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace): SCRATCHED.

20. Hope In Your Heart (Kerry Parker): Is an underrated mare, and she overcame a very slow pace where she wasn’t suited last start at Randwick in the Group 3 Angst Stakes (1600m). Further, she showed a strong turn of foot and found the line well. She has won her last three starts, but this is a big jump in grade.

21. Cardinal Gem (Grahame Begg): Was perfectly ridden when winning a listed race at Caulfield last start. The gelding has won his last two and has a favourable map but will need to improve significantly.

22. Jimmy The Bear (Patrick Payne): Was solid last start and ran third behind Cardinal Gem. He has a tricky draw and will need a career best to figure in the finish.

Overall Summary: Import Light Infantry, who is the deserved favourite, brings elite Group 1 form lines to this event and if he repeats his last start figure in France expect him to be hard to beat. Fangirl is a significant improver back to a dry track, and her starting price profile against Anamoe must be respected. Gypsy Goddess went out on a career peak figure and can sprint well fresh with the blinkers back on. I Wish I Win’s profile suggests he can bounce back off a freshen-up and will be hitting the line hard.

Selections

12. LIGHT INFANTRY
15. Fangirl
17. Gypsy Goddess
5. I Wish I Win

All the fields, form and replays for Golden Eagle Day at Rosehill Gardens