The newly gelded and lightly raced Eagles Crag is hoping to notch up his fourth win from eight starts at Sandown on Wednesday.

Eagles Crag has shown plenty of promise throughout his short Australian career, winning by 5.8 lengths on debut at Pakenham early last year, but niggling issues have stopped him from putting a full preparation together- something trainer Archie Alexander is confident he’s resolved.

“He’s sound. He just had some minor issues with his feet, but he’s been gelded and that’s helped as well. He’s only lightly raced so we’ll see how he goes,” Archie Alexander said.

Initially a horse with lofty goals in mind, spurred by a 2nd placing to Group 1 winner Mr Brightside, Alexander is happy to let him work through his grades this time in after a solid showing first up at Morphettville.

“He hadn’t run for a long time, he got back, the winner (Not Usual Glorious) led and had a much better run. Everyone was disappointed that he didn’t win but he’s got improvement to come and Jamie Kah was happy with him,” Alexander said.

Alexander is wary of running Eagles Crag on a wet track, suggesting a soft 5 or 6 at Sandown would be fine, but a heavy track may sway him to run another day after the gelding failed at Caulfield on his only heavy track run at the end of last preparation.

A wet track this Saturday at Flemington however would not pose an issue for two-year-old filly Bound For Home, who was a dominant winner on debut at Ballarat on heavy ground- something that Alexander wasn’t particularly surprised by.

“I’ve always liked her, I was a bit shocked because you’re never sure if they’ll win that well, but I told the owners from the start she’s well above average,” Alexander said.

Declan Bates will maintain the ride on Bound For Home, and Alexander suggested she’ll be tipped out after Saturday.

“She’s in good form, the weather doesn’t matter, wet or dry she’ll be fine. Win lose or draw she’ll have a two-three week break, come back and target something in the Spring,” Alexander said.