Nash Rawiller is hoping to maintain his perfect record aboard improving two-year-old Grand Eagle when the Farnan colt steps up to Saturday company at Randwick.
Rawiller rode Grand Eagle to his maiden victory at Hawkesbury last start, having been impressed with the colt during trackwork leading up to the race.
“Nash came out and rode him work here one morning just before Hawkesbury and really liked the horse,” said trainer Gerald Ryan. “He went up there and rode him that day and it was the only ride he had all day because he liked him.”
Before that win, Grand Eagle showed promise but also some quirks, finishing second on debut at Warwick Farm after being wayward in the straight, and reacting poorly to blinkers at Newcastle. The gear was removed for his last start, and while Grand Eagle wasn’t perfect, he got the job done.
“He’s still a work in progress and still doesn’t do things right,” Ryan said.
Grand Eagle will face 11 rivals in the ATC Bookmakers Recognition Day Handicap (1100m), including Beskar, a Kindergarten Stakes placegetter, and Gobi Desert, the Max Lees Classic winner.
This will be Grand Eagle’s final start of the campaign before a spell, win, lose, or draw.