Following another hugely successful edition of The Everest at Randwick a fortnight ago, it’s now Rosehill’s time to shine this spring, with Sydney’s second biggest racetrack to hold the $10 million Golden Eagle on Saturday.

Behind only The Everest, the Golden Eagle is the second-richest race in the country, with a purse of $10 million.

Therefore, it’s no surprise to see a capacity field of 20 horses set to face the starter at 4:45pm AEDT Saturday afternoon (Race 8).

Watch Spring Racing and the Melbourne Cup LIVE on Kayo Sports. Join now and start streaming instantly >

MELBOURNE CUP ORDER OF ENTRY: UK raider seals spot with powerful Geelong Cup win

DERBY DAY FORM GUIDE: Predictions for Flemington Group 1 bonanza

The race will be run over 1500m and it’s age-restricted to four-year-olds only, meaning horses can only contest the race once in their career.

Racing NSW administrators created the Golden Eagle to add some much-needed punch to their spring schedule. It’s certainly done that, with the race increasing in popularity year on year.

Held on the same day as Melbourne’s famed Derby Day, the addition of the Golden Eagle makes this Saturday as one of the best days on the Australian racing calendar.

WHEN IS IT?

Saturday, November 2.

WHERE IS IT?

Rosehill Racecourse in Sydney’s western suburbs.

WHAT’S IT WORTH?

$10 million prize pool

1st – $5,250,000

2md – $2,000,000

3rd – $1,000,000

4th – $500,000

5th – $250,000

6th – $175,000

7th – $120,000

8th – $120,000

9th – $100,000

10th – $75,000

THE GOLDEN EAGLE FIELD (all odds via TAB)

1. Southport Tycoon (Ciaron Maher – Craig Williams)

Barrier: 15
Odds: $12/$3.30

Two-time Group 1 winner who showed off a devastating turn-of-foot to win a star-studded Manikato Stakes in late September. Stayed at 1200m last start and ran well but thinking he’s much better suited stepping up to the 1500m he sees here. He’s a Group 1 winner over the mile, collecting the Australian Guineas in the autumn. He’ll give away a start but will be rocketing to the line.

Verdict – Winning hope.

2. Veight (Tony & Calvin McEvoy – Harry Coffey)

Barrier: 18
Odds: $51/$9.50

Group 1 winner over this track/trip having won the George Ryder Stakes back in March. He’s been well held in both runs this prep but there were excuses in those starts. His best is good enough to win but not sure he’s going well enough at the moment, so he’ll have to improve sharply. In addition, he’s come up with a horror draw.

Verdict – Others preferred.

3. Tom Kitten (James Cummings – Ben Melham)

Barrier: 2
Odds: $9/$3.10

Beat all bar Ceolwulf in the Epsom two starts ago despite sitting wide throughout. It was a gallant effort that looked all the better when Ceolwulf won a hot King Charles. Tom Kitten was very good in that same race, running home strongly from the tail into 4th, running past superstar mare Fangirl. This is his pet trip and he’s a two-time winner at Rosehill. He maps for a soft run midfield from the inside barrier and with luck in the straight, will be competitive.

Verdict – Leading chance.

4. Ostraka (Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald – Chad Schofield)

Barrier: 13
Odds: $21/$4.50

Six weeks ago, no one would have considered a hope in a race like this but he’s absolutely airborne at the minute, winning all three starts this preparation as he’s stylishly worked his way through the grades. Importantly, he’s shown off his versatility, being able to win when settling back in the field as well as lead all the way. This is significantly harder but he can’t be left out of trifectas and first fours.

Verdict – Minor hope.

5. Griff (Ciaron Maher – Dylan Gibbons)

Barrier: 6
Odds: $101/$16

Didn’t have much luck in a weaker race last start. He has fared well at the barrier draw and is a four-time winner on dry tracks but it’s been a while since we’ve seen his best, therefore it’s hard to see him improving enough to win this.

Verdict – Others preferred.

6. Encap (Gary Portelli – Jason Collett)

Barrier: 1
Odds: $16/$4.8

Going well but this is a new test. His effort in the George Ryder over this track/trip last preparation says he’s not completely out of this, but there needs to be a sharp level of improvement. What’s in his favour is that he has runs on the board at this track, including a Group 2 Theo Marks two starts ago.

Verdict – Others preferred.

7. Xidaki (Peter Snowden – Tom Sherry)

Barrier: 10
Odds:c$61/$15

He’s been a model of consistency throughout his ten start career, winning or finishing top three in nine of those. Contested a key lead up race in the Silver Eagle at Randwick on Everest day and performed well, beating all bar the low-flying Ostraka. You’d think he has to find another gear against a field of classy gallopers, but he’s honest as they come and he should be suited by the rise in distance from 1300m to 1500m.

Verdict – Place chance.

8. Chrysaor (Chris Waller – Regan Bayliss)

Barrier: 14
Odds: $81/$19

He’s rocks and diamonds this horse but on his day, he can unleash a devastating sprint, which is why he has to be given some hope. The huge field will run along at a decent clip and he’ll be strong late. Knockout hope.

Verdict – Winning hope.

9. Kintyre (Gary Portelli – Reece Jones)

Barrier: 3
Odds: $81/$19

Fit, on-pace horse who is on a seven day back-up following a somewhat disappointing run last weekend in a much weaker race. Not the worst but he’s a $81 chance for a reason.

Verdict – Others preferred.

10. War Machine (NZ) (Michael Moroney & Glen Thompson – Jay Ford)

Barrier: 7
Odds: $41/$10

He’s run into a couple of red-hot horses first and second up, and been beaten only a length. Lightly raced horse who thrashed his rivals in the listed Bendigo Guineas at this stage of the campaign last prep. At $41, he’s well over the odds.

Verdict – Place chance.

11. Port Lockroy (Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald – Adam Hyeronimus)

Barrier: 9
Odds: $81/$19

Plenty of merit in his first two starts this prep and is suited by the rise in distance, but I get the sense he’s a better horse over further. Back onto a dry track is a tick however thinking he’ll find a few of these too nippy.

Verdict – Others preferred.

12. Lazzat (FR) (Jerome Reynier – Antonio Orani0)

Barrier: 12
Odds: $6/$2.40

Unbeaten French galloper who presents here off a three month spell after winning a Group 1 at Deauville by three lengths. He’s had three runs for three wins over the 1500m trip. He’s a front running type who will be given every chance by jockey Antonio Oranio, who has partnered the horse in all six of his wins.

Verdict – Winning hope.

13. Craig (GB) (Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young – Nash Rawiller)

Barrier:
Odds:

Cult hero gelding who has yet to miss the top three. While winner Antino was in another league in the Toorak last start, Craig ran on strongly into a second-place finish in what was his first start in a Group 1. He’s ascended quickly this preparation but he’ll need to go to another level here.

Verdict – Place chance.

14. Lake Forest (GB) (William Haggas – Cieren Fallon)

Barrier: 5
Odds: $18/$5

In the stable of one of the world’s most respected trainers in Williams Haggas. He was excellent when second in a Royal Ascot Group 1 when first up last time in. UK visitor who can’t be overlooked.

Verdict – Place hope.

15. Stefi Magnetica (Bjorn Baker – Zac Lloyd)

Barrier: 4
Odds: $9.50/$3.20

Won the Group 1 Stradbroke in the winter, beating a capacity field of 17 other horses including Everest winner Bella Nipotina. That form holds her in good stead for this. She wasn’t far away in this year’s Everest. Strips fitter for that and is suited stepping up in trip.

Verdict – Leading chance.

16. Joliestar (Chris Waller – Kerrin McEvoy)

Barrier: 11
Odds: $5/$2.10

Outstanding mare who started favourite in The Everest a fortnight ago. She didn’t have things go her way at times in the run but when she recovered, the Chris Waller-trained mare let down powerfully to finish 1.6 lengths behind the winner. It’s probably fair to say that she’s much better suited at 1500m than she is at 1200m given she easily won a Group 1 Thousand Guineas over the mile last spring.

Verdict – Leading chance.

17. Makarena (Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes – Tyler Schiller)

Barrier: 20
Odds: $41/$10

In form mare but she’ll need a miracle from barrier 20. Has been around the mark no matter how tough the assignment and she’s a two-time winner at Rosehill. Have to be somewhat wary of her.

Verdict – Place hope.

18. Skybird (Mitchell Freedman – Beau Mertens)

Barrier: 16
Odds: $41/$10

She can’t have performed much better without winning than she did at Flemington first and second up in a pair of Group 2’s. Forgive the last start flop when she had plenty against her. Now that she gets back onto a dry track, she’s a live chance. Worth including at big odds.

Verdict – Place hope.

19. Ascoli Piceno (JPN) (Yoichi Kuroiwa – Joao Moreira)

Barrier: 17
Odds: $5.50/$2.20

Last year, Japanese visitor Obamburumai became the first international raider to win the Golden Eagle since the race’s inception in 2019. Ascoli Piceno comes here in better form than Obamburumai did. The four-year-old mare was last seen winning a Group 3 in Japan in early September. She also boasts terrific Group 1 form in Hong Kong and Japan. She’s come up with a tricky barrier (17) but has the ‘Magic Man’ Joao Moreira on her back to navigate that. Deserved favourite.

Verdict – Leading chance.

20. Corazon Beat (JPN) (Shizuya Kato – Tommy Berry)

Barrier: 19
Odds: $51/$12

Another Japanese galloper who finished over 11 lengths from Ascoli Piceno last start so it’s hard to see her turning the tables enough to be winning. Adding to that, she’s come up with the visitor’s draw.

Verdict – Others preferred.

TIPS

3. Tom Kitten, 16. Joliestar, 19. Ascoli Piceno, 8. Chrysaor