Golden Eagle Racing Tips - Sheza to bounce back big time in $10 million Golden Eagle

Now into its eighth year, the race has quickly established itself as a major spring feature, with past winners including the outstanding Autumn Glow.

Sheza Alibi dominates the betting market, but can the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained mare bounce back after suffering a surprise defeat at the hands of Land Legend over the 2000m last time out?

She returns to a more suitable distance but faces some serious opposition, particularly from the runners coming through the Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick on October 17.

Apocalyptic was impressive in taking out that race, producing a performance nearly 13 lengths faster than standard after enjoying a favourable run behind the speed. Skyhook was another to perform well, racing handy throughout and sticking on strongly, while Beiwacht set a solid tempo out in front and fought on bravely after looking vulnerable early in the straight.

Autumn Boy is another major contender and brings some interesting form into the race. The Chris Waller-trained galloper had little luck in the Epsom Handicap (1600m), encountering interference and being held up at a vital stage. He was runner-up behind Sheza Alibi in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) earlier in the spring and was also second to the favourite in both the Randwick Guineas (1600m) and the Doncaster Mile (1600m) during the autumn.

Amazing Journey adds further depth to the field, while Regal Award was competitive when racing on the speed in the Toorak Handicap (1600m). Mr Miller comes through the Epsom Handicap (1600m), producing a performance approximately 11 lengths faster than standard despite finishing fifth.

Within The Law was another eye-catcher in the Silver Eagle (1300m), producing some outstanding late sectionals after settling towards the rear. Platinum Pantheon had little luck from a wide barrier in that race and his effort was better than the finishing position suggests.

The Golden Eagle is Race 8 on the Randwick programme, scheduled for 4:45pm AEDT, and shapes as one of the highlights of a massive Saturday of Australian racing with Derby Day at Flemington featuring three Group 1 races. 

Beiwacht looks one of the likely leaders and should push forward from barrier 10, with Skyhook another expected to settle handy after racing prominently in the Silver Eagle. Regal Award and Mr Miller may also look to take up forward positions.

Sheza Alibi maps beautifully from barrier 6 and should be able to settle around midfield with cover. Autumn Boy draws just inside her in barrier 5, with Zac Purton potentially looking to hold his position and make things difficult for the favourite.

Apocalyptic may settle around midfield, while Within The Law is likely to get back from barrier 3 and look to finish strongly.

Sheza Alibi is clearly the one to beat in the Golden Eagle. The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained mare has won six of her eight starts and comes into this with the best last-start benchmark figures of any runner in the field. She has produced performances more than 10 lengths faster than standard in each of her past six outings, including a figure approximately 14 lengths faster than standard last time out when runner-up in the Might And Power Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield. She jumped sharply to the 2000m that day and they ran a track record. Her previous preparations suggest she improves with racing, while her best performances have come in the 1400m to 1600m distance range. She was outstanding when winning the Doncaster Mile (1600m) during the autumn and has lost just once around a turn since arriving from Queensland. Luke Nolen rides from barrier 6 and should be able to secure a perfect stalking position. She has won at Randwick on both Good and Soft ground, so any showers shouldn't pose a significant concern. Expect her to bounce back.

Within The Law looks an interesting value runner at big odds. The Bjorn Baker-trained mare hasn't won since her early two-year-old days but has been competitive in some strong races, including a runner-up finish in the Flight Stakes (1600m) last year. She resumed with an encouraging performance before catching the eye in the Silver Eagle (1300m), settling back in the field and producing the fastest final 400m and 200m of any runner. Her racing pattern means she generally needs things to fall her way, but barrier 3 should allow Rachel King to save ground before looking for runs late. She has performed well on rain-affected tracks and could be suited if showers arrive at Randwick. The suggestion that runners must get to the outside late in the day on Soft ground can be overstated, and she looks capable of running a much better race than her price suggests.