The Golden Eagle Tips & Runner-by-Runner Preview

Mitchell Cashmore looks at the form of every runner in the 2022 The Golden Eagle. Who is he tipping for victory?

I wouldn’t have him marked at the $30 odds and was shocked to see him open at that price, thankfully the market has rushed to drop those odds down to $23. He comes from The Everest, traditionally a neat set-up for at least one or two horses each year. He’ll be up on the pace and probably hold there a while, it’ll be up to the horse if he sustains it. 

It is very weird that this horse was beating Anamoe around this track a mere 6 months ago, but he has dropped right off the map. Does get his Dry track, but the placings is his best shot.

I think he’s some serious value here. He hasn’t seen Dry in over a year, and that was when he was beating Anamoe in last year’s Golden Rose. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if a repeat of that run comes here, as he’ll kick up from the 4th barrier, lead and will be the one they have to run down and the only query will be if he can sustain such a lead for the entire 1500 Metres.

Class horse and the one who won The Silver Eagle in impressive fashion, but gee the widest possible barrier, on a track that I think might be an absolute road on the fence? Not something that I want to dive into. 

I must respect this horse, as he has talent, that much is clear, not many in this field will be able to match his turn of foot. But his Toorak was completely dictated by how far he got back in the run, and I suspect that from the 14th barrier the exact same thing will happen, so happy to risk him. 

Another one that I was all over before the barrier draw as he is as strong as they come at this distance and track, but unfortunately the 23rd barrier has to rule him out for me. 

He is past his prime, it would take something very special for him to get the job done. 

I think the odds that they have him at right now are downright criminal. Berry will have to take him right towards the front since he is so wide to try and have any sort of a shot and if he does manage to land in that front 5 pack, he is a red-hot chance to sneak into the money. Shouldn’t be winning, but you’d be brave to leave him out of the First 4 exotic. 

There is a reason why his $250, that is all I’ll say.

Better draw and I would consider him, but not up to it here I think.

Scratched

The favourite and for great reason honestly. He is an International raider and they’re always the wildcard with the different sets of form that they bring. He reads so well, second to Inspiral (One of the World’s best horses right now) and he beat State Of Rest, yes, that State Of Rest, the 2021 Cox Plate winner. He could come into this, spank them and then go on to have a very long and fruitful career in Australia, but he has to win here first. Has his regular European jockey on board as well, what is not to like? Would be completely shocked if he is not in the finish.

The other International raider and like I said, they bring a completely different set of form and will have a good jump on the Aussies I reckon. Frankie Dettori on board, my goodness does that sound weird when we are talking about a race at Rosehill when the time-honoured Melbourne Cup carnival is happening, Waller must be very confident. The staying races arent his go, we’ve found that out, so I love the move back to the middle distance and from the 9th barrier, he can settle wherever he wants and will be super strong through the line. Over the odds for sure. 

Now this is a doozy, what to do with Hinged. I love this horse and am often on it, but shocked that it’s not running in Melbourne, even after all the barrier drama. It’s a swimming horse, Melbourne will be wet, Sydney will be dry. But anyways. It’s the classiest horse by far in this race, having already run and won Group 1 Calibre races, which is common for Golden Eagle Winners. She’s wide, but I won’t be dumb enough to count her out.

On the other hand, Waller made the right move with Fangirl here. She has been screaming for a dry deck and finally gets it here. She’s just as wide as Hinged, but I see no reason why Bowman can’t get her settled somewhere in the midfield and let her do her thing come the finish. She is a massive danger and at a silly price as well, considering her ability levels and class. 

Good enough to lure Jamie Kah away from Victoria in what would be one of her busiest weekends of the year? Just off that, it’s good enough for me to respect. Never missed the trifecta and has always run like the 1500 could be a distance that she’ll run out strongly. Will not matter what the conditions are come Saturday, this horse is in it up to her neck and as long as she doesn’t end up completely boxed, she’ll be finishing Top 5 at least.

First up and it’s a weird one, as she is an out and out stayer. She seems to just be here to chase prize money, which doesn’t give me much confidence. But if they go a bullet a gate out in front, wouldn’t at all surprise if Pikey is able to take her from last to first, with this horse’s turn of foot ability.

She’s talented and will win more races in her career, but she won’t be winning here, happy to pen her.

She seems to be a very progressive horse who improves with every run, but she’ll need to improve a super amount to get the job done here. Not for me.

She’s flying, I can’t ignore that fact. Three straight wins, all at 14,15 or 1600 Meters, so we know she has the tank. First 4 is its best hope.

A lot of controversy surrounded this horse when it missed the starting 20, but it got its start after a scratching and will try to show the world why it should have always had the starting position. Jordan Childs comes just for this horse and the trainer wouldn’t have sent it if he didn’t think it could win. But I’m happy to watch it win without me, it would be super special if it did.

Now First Emergency. I love this horse, super consistent, but can’t have him here.

Now Second Emergency. Just don’t see him getting a start and if he does, he doesn’t win.

Now Third Emergency. If he somehow gets a start, a win wouldn’t shock me one bit, but he needs 3 horses to come out, which is unlikely.