Trainer Gerald Ryan’s Amazing Eagle grounded for now … but 2025 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas still on agenda as stablemate Eagle Nest eyes Canterbury Sprint
Trainer Gerald Ryan can secure the first stakes race of the New Year with in-form mare Eagle Nest at Canterbury on Wednesday – just 24 hours after his promising colt Amazing Eagle was a shock scratching from a very winnable Gosford Guineas.
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Trainer Gerald Ryan can secure the first stakes race of the New Year with in-form mare Eagle Nest at Canterbury on Wednesday – just 24 hours after his promising colt Amazing Eagle was a shock scratching from a very winnable Gosford Guineas.
Amazing Eagle was the early favourite for the Listed three-year-old feature at Wyong on Tuesday only to be a race morning scratching with a minor heel issue.
Ryan, who trains in partnership with Sterling Alexiou, maintained Amazing Eagle was still on target for the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas at the Gold Coast on January 11.
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In fact, Ryan is so confident Amazing Eagle’s preparation has not been unduly affected he has accepted with the talented young sprinter for the Precise Air Handicap (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
“Either Amazing Eagle has hit his heel or he has stood on something,’’ Ryan said on Tuesday, soon after his stable ended 2024 with a maiden win from Fly Scotty Fly in the Wyong opener.
“I had the colt trotted out this morning and he was terrific but when he came back in I didn’t think he was quite right.
“If the track was a soft 6 I might have still run him but on the firm track I thought we should wait.
“He hasn’t missed any work which is the main thing so he will go to Randwick on Saturday then all going well he will back up into the Magic Millions Guineas.’’
Another photo finish at Randwick but Amazing Eagle, who resumed after 230 days, showed great fight to win the LR Brian Crowley Stakes under @G1TySchil for @GRyanRacing 🦅 pic.twitter.com/Zz8dD9Q7Lf
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 26, 2024
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The Ryan-Alexiou stable can put behind them the Amazing Eagle disappointment and get 2025 off to the best possible start with Eagle Nest in the Listed $200,000 Canterbury Sprint (1200m) at Canterbury.
Eagle Nest goes to the New Year’s Day stakes race after beating Our Kobison in the Listed Starlight Stakes then running a close third to Jedibeel and Pereille (Our Kobison was fourth) in the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap.
But in latest TAB Fixed Odds betting for the Canterbury Sprint, Eagle Nest is rated at $13 while Our Kobison is on the second line at $3.90 and Pereille is pressing at $8.50 behind $3 favourite Time To Boogie.
“Eagle Nest is dead-set flying,’’ Ryan said.
“She just has to tick that 1200m box but she almost did last start. We are very happy with her, she has worked as well as she has ever worked leading into Canterbury.’’
Eagle Nest flies in the ✨ Starlight Stakes ✨ and wins with @tomo_sherry in the saddle for @GRyanRacing 🦅@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/VCVo5Ei8YI
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 30, 2024
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Ryan said Eagle Nest is likely to have a freshen up after Canterbury and be aimed at some of the feature mares sprints in autumn.
The master trainer also revealed last Saturday’s Randwick winner High Blue Sea will be set for the inaugural $500,000 The Lakes (1600m) at Wyong on January 11.
“High Blue Sea pulled up ‘great’ after Randwick and we’ve decided to look at The Lakes next week,’’ Ryan said.
“The horse is very fit and in great form, so it’s a good time to try him at 1600m. If The Lakes comes up too strong a race, we have the option of waiting for Rosehill the following week.’’
Originally published as Trainer Gerald Ryan’s Amazing Eagle grounded for now … but 2025 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas still on agenda as stablemate Eagle Nest eyes Canterbury Sprint
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