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By Nick Berney

An in-depth look at every runner in the $1 million Silver Eagle (1300m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

1. Converge (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott): SCRATCHED.

2. Mr Mozart (Team Hawkes): Was outstanding in defeat after sitting three wide without cover, working in a genuine tempo and never shirked his task to the line. Further, his run was full of merit in a high-rating race relative to the day, and there has been a subsequent winner to confirm the form.

Summary: The four-year-old is in career-best form and can do it on both ends. Moreover, he races well off freshen-ups, all peak figures have come on heavy ground, and he has multiple winning ratings for this event. In addition, the wide draw is of little concern as he maps to roll forward and control the pace. Will take some catching.

3. Startantes (Robert Heathcote): Should’ve finished closer and arguably won the Group 2 Golden Pendant (1400m). The mare clocked one of the fastest 400m-200m splits of the meeting in 10.78 before being chopped out of the race at the 150m mark.

Summary: The Group 1 winner is well-weighted under the race conditions and is set to improve third-up. In addition, she is proven on heavy ground after just missing in a photo finish in the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) at this track last prep. Major player.

Mr Mozart (Pic: Steve Hart)

4. Vilana (James Cummings): Resumes and has trialled well under light riding and won a recent heat at Rosehill.

Summary: The four-year-old has an impressive record and first-up last prep he won on a heavy track. He is a key late market/yard watch.

5. Kiss Sum (Tracey Bartley): was ridden out and ran strong closing sectionals to win his first trial. Further, he then had a quiet trial at Rosehill and went through the line full of energy after not being extended.

Summary: The four-year-old went out on a career peak figure prior to spelling, and if he can reproduce that effort, he’ll be in the finish. However, some query to where he gets to from the wide gate.

6. Flying Crazy (Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou): Started favourite first-up in the Towoomba Weetwood (1200m) but had excuses.

Summary: He raced well last preparation but failed on his one attempt on heavy ground.

7. Ranch Hand (Chris Waller): Has raced below market expectations this prep and ran on greenly last start in the Group 3 Bill Ritchie (1400m), which subsequent winner Top Ranked won.

Summary: The blinkers go back on, which could see him bounce back to his best, but he will need to improve significantly off his last effort.

8. Brigantine (James Cummings): Returned as a gelding first-up at this track and won in style, producing a career peak figure. The gelding raced wide with cover, and when asked for an effort, he accelerated and hit the line running one of the fastest final 200m splits of the meeting in 11.72.

Summary: His sectional/ratings profile suggests he can step off his last start performance and his last start figure is competitive. Further, he maps well and is a definite chance.

9. Loch Eagle (Kris Lees): Settled last in a farcical tempo but overcame that by running slick closing sectionals and posted the fastest final 400m of the meeting in 22.64.

Summary: He looks to have come back improved and is proven on the testing ground. In addition, he may get the track pattern to suit and receives a senior rider in Regan Bayliss. Must be added to all exotics.

10. Minsk Moment (Chris Waller): run had hidden merit first-up after being not suited and was checked/blocked at a critical stage.

Summary: He is suited up in distance and races well of freshen ups. Add into wider exotics.

11. Maurice's Medad (Bjorn Baker): Was run to suit first-up and ran on ok in a Benchmark 88.

Summary: The gelding will be fitter for that effort but prefer him over a further distance.

12. Waterford (Chris Waller): Won in style last start at Rosehill in a Benchmark 78 and was eased down late. Before that start, he had to make a long-wide sustained run and clocked one of the fastest final 600m splits of the meeting at Rosehill in 34.36.

Summary: The import has untapped ability and brings a real X-factor to this event. Further, he is in his second Australian prep under the guidance of Chris Waller and is a lightly raced improver. In addition, he is proven on the rain-affected ground and has a quiet trial in between runs. Chance.

Espiona (Pic: Steve Hart)

13. Lavish Girl (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace): Led at a slow tempo first-up at Caulfield and battled on well for second place on a heavy 9 rated track.

Summary: She maps to control the pace and will be fitter from her first-up effort. Further, she is a consistent type and will give a sight. Add into wider exotics.

14. Espiona (Chris Waller): Had too much to do last start after getting too far back and wasn’t suited by the pace of the race. Additionally, she had to make a long wide sustained run and clocked one of the fastest final 600m splits of the meeting in 33.76.

Summary: She is still immature and has drawn wide again, but that may be an advantage by this time of the day. Further, her sectional profile suggests she is ready to peak third-up and back onto a wet track is a plus. Her starting price profile must be respected, winkers go on for the first time, and she is a definite chance.

15. Cotehele (John O’Shea): Has trialled well enough and won his latest heat at Randwick in a time/sectional merit heat.

Summary: She has strong form lines but is more suited on a dry track.

16. Tonneofgrit (Team Hawkes): Has had two quiet trials and found the line well both times.

Summary: Her best form has been on dry ground and needs to improve significantly.

17. Global Ausbred (Brad Widdup): Has been ridden out in both of his trials and is wound up to run well first-up.

Summary: He improved throughout his prep last campaign and started $21 in the QLD Derby (2400m). Prefer over further ground.

18. Stray (Anthony Cummings): Had no luck last start, and first-up, she had too much to do getting too far back in a farcical tempo.

Summary: She rises sharply in grade but does bring a fitness edge relative to some of her rivals.

Selections:

2. MR MOZART
3. Startantes
12. Waterford
8. Brigantine

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Randwick meeting