Trainers hoping for Grand week with juveniles

Image: Bradley Photos

Stakes placegetter Dream Side spearheads her stable’s three-pronged assault on the Percy Sykes Stakes.

Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou are hoping Grand Eagle’s midweek win at Hawkesbury is a portent of things to come from their team of juveniles on day two of The Championships.

Having his third start, Grand Eagle delivered on his promise to post a comprehensive 1-1/4 length win over Headbanger in Wednesday’s Good Luck Paris Eaton Handicap (1100m).

It followed a second at Warwick Farm in March and fourth to subsequent Group 1 placegetter Buffalo at Newcastle, Alexiou saying the removal of his headgear proved key after he responded poorly to the addition of blinkers last start.

“He ran off the track at Warwick Farm at his first start so we put the shades on to try to help straighten him up and concentrate on things a bit better. It just backfired on us,” Alexiou told Sky Racing.

“He was at his top the whole race (at Newcastle) and never finished off, which was the first time that had ever happened. The last furlong is normally his best.

“Nash (Rawiller) rode a really patient race on him today and he was strong through the line.”

Alexiou and Ryan will see how Grand Eagle comes through the win before deciding whether to give him one more start or spell him in preparation for the spring.

Either way, Rawiller is convinced they have a promising horse on their hands.

“I loved him today. He got to show his turn of foot. I shut him straight down early and he’s a horse that will really go on with the job now, I reckon,” Rawiller said.

Ryan and Alexiou will be chasing more two-year-old success on Saturday with three fillies in the $1 million Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m).

Dream Side, Sequista and Pleasure Queen are all set to line up, Dream Side preparing for a rematch with her Magic Night Stakes conqueror Memo while Sequista resumes after finishing third in the Inglis Nursery (1100m) at her only start.

“Sequista beat Bjorn Baker’s filly, Within The Law and Memo in a trial on Friday. She has done enormous,” Gerald Ryan said.

“Dream Side has done terrific too. We gave her a week in the paddock and she worked nicely on (Saturday) morning.

“Pleasure Queen will go there too. She won on debut and didn’t have much luck at her next start.”

Ryan and Alexiou have had a handy season with their small team of juveniles winning seven races, three at black-type level including the Pago Pago Stakes with Skyhook and Black Opal Stakes with King Of Pop.

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *