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By Ray Hickson

The rise of Ostraka from Class 1 horse to million dollar earner in the space of four months has taken Annabel Neasham a little by surprise and because of that she’s not sure what to expect in Saturday’s $10 million James Squire Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.

Trainer Annabel Neasham (Pic: Bradley Photos).

A gutsy all the way win off the outside barrier in the Silver Eagle two weeks ago vaulted the gelding into the field and Neasham said the picket fence he’s building has to be respected.

It’s obviously Ostraka’s biggest test, and he’s unproven beyond 1400m, but that winning streak tells Neasham he’s still learning and still improving.

“There’s nothing better than having a confident horse going to the races,’’ Neasham said.

“He’s won four on the bounce now, he’s on a steep rise, he’s going to have to put in a PB but we’re hopeful.

“What I love about him is he’s so diverse, he can go forward or back, he can run strong closing sectionals off a fast tempo on speed or he can sit back and run home.

“The 1500m is new territory for him but he’s relaxing so much better now.”

Chad Schofield, who is riding a wave at the moment with a couple of Group 1s on Ceolwulf, partners Ostraka ($23 with TAB on Thursday) and Neasham, who co-trains with Rob Archibald, said barrier 13 isn’t bad for a horse of his versatility.

The fact he’s made his way into a race like the Golden Eagle is something Neasham takes pride in considering how quickly he’s come through the grades.

“I always thought he was a really nice horse,’’ she said.

“He put himself on the map with that Listed win at Eagle Farm, he blew them away and the race rated really well.

“We gave him a break with a view of getting him back for these sorts of targets. Your plans don’t normally pay off, horses will be horses, but he’s come back as good as he was if not better.”

The Royce Simmons Foundation is Ostraka’s charity partner while stablemate Port Lockroy is racing for Ronald McDonald House, with 10 per cent of their prizemoney earned in the Eagle donated to their partner.

Port Lockroy is having a throw at the stumps in the Golden Eagle though Neasham said there hasn’t been a lot between him and Ostraka in two runs this spring.

He was beaten less than half a length first-up when running third at Randwick then finished sixth in the Silver Eagle, two lengths off his stablemate.

“His run was really good first-up behind Ostraka and I thought his run was really good, he ran quick 400m-200m splits, in the Silver Eagle but he wants a bit further,’’ she said.

“With Ostraka, going to 1500m is a bit of an unknown with him whereas Port Lockroy I know wants that. He’s going to be a big price but he’ll make his presence felt.”

Classy mares Sunshine In Paris and Lady Laguna represent the stable in the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes (1300m).

Neasham said the former came through her fifth placing in the TAB Everest in good fashion and while that race was her target she has plenty to give this spring.

“Tommy (Berry) sat on her Tuesday morning and said she hasn’t taken a backward step,’’ she said.

“She’s going to be third-up, a few of them have had a few runs and had their grand final. I suppose to some degree the Everest was our grand final but she was only second run in so we left enough in the tank to we can peak again.

“She was probably a bit too far back to win from where she was. She closed off really well and she wasn’t beaten far in a bunched finish.”

Ostraka wins the Silver Eagle

Lady Laguna’s spring has been a bit disjointed but Neasham said her sixth placing in the Sydney Stakes (1200m) on Everest Day tells her she’s on track to improve.

“She drew 18 in the Sydney Stakes and was probably a run short having had a setback so I asked Tyler (Schiller) to ride her a bit quieter,’’ she said.

“The way the track ended up being and the way she got out of the gates you leave the track wondering.

“Tyler knows her really well and we’ve seen her win a Group 1 beating last year’s Everest winner over this distance so she has to be a leading chance.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Golden Eagle at Rosehill