Talented Godolphin duo Vilana and Brigantine are ready to swoop in Silver Eagle

A pair of smart Godolphin four-year-olds are ready to shine in the gloomy conditions in the Silver Eagle at Randwick.

Godolphin have two strong chances in the Silver Eagle with Vilana (pictured) and Brigantine. Picture: Getty Images

Godolphin trainer James Cummings doesn’t believe there is much between stablemates Vilana and Brigantine in the $1 million Silver Eagle (1300m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Vilana is rated at $8.50 in latest TAB Fixed odds betting while Brigantine is at $12 behind the Team Hawkes-trained Mr Mozart at $3.60 favouritism.

Cummings said Vilana is proven on very wet tracks, having won the South Pacific Classic on a heavy 10 during The Championships at Randwick in April before winning the Group 3 Fred Best Classic at Eagle Farm later in the season.

“Vilana is going beautifully, he is fresh-up but can handle the (heavy) ground,” Cummings said.

Brigantine resumed with a smart win at Randwick. Picture: Grant Guy

“He should be open to improvement, but I wouldn’t put it past the horse to be forward enough to be right among the most competitive horses in the race.”

Brigantine has the benefit of a comeback run, scoring impressively first-up at Randwick three weeks ago after having more than 10 months out of racing.

“He was an excellent three-year-old in the spring time, you saw what he was able to do on one preparation getting all the way to the Carbine Club and meeting good opposition, including Fangirl,” Cummings said.

“He had been off the scene for a long time, so full credit to my team to have the horse cherry ripe fresh-up from a long time off.”

“At Randwick, he launched up the middle from the three-wide line in the same fashion he left off. Now he’s coming up against a few of the big guns, it’s a big step up in class into Test match footy here.

“Hopefully, he can keep making that progression, he’s really trained on beautifully and looks great. The conditions will be very testing, so having a run under his belt will be an advantage.”

THE BEST BARRIERS

The best barriers at Royal Randwick for the last 3 years (in order of wins)

1000m: 1,4,5,6

1200m: 7,6,1,5

1300m: 1,2,5,7

1400m: 2,1,3,6

1600m: 3,2,5,4

1800m: 4,1,2,5

2000m: 2,1,6,5

THE BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS

Race 1: Jalmari $9-$8.50-$8-$7.50-$6.50 including a bet of $300/$500 e/w at $8/$2.90, Gold Lunar $41-$21-$23, Danzadel $81-$31-$34

Race 2: Kote $4.60-$2.60-$2.70 with bets of $1,500 at $4.60, $1,500 at $4, $600 at $4, $500 at $3.10, $1,000 at $3

Race 3: Main Stage $26-$16-$14, King Frankel $5.50-$6-$4 after bets of $600 at $6, $300 at $6, $400 at $5, $2,000 e/w at $4.20/$1.80, $500 at $4

Race 4: Sweet Ride $8-$9-$8.50 including a big bet of $20,000 e/w at $9/$2.50, Selous $15-$9.50-$10, Willinga Beast $8-$7.50-$8-$6 after bets of $500/$1,000 e/w at $8/$2.40, $300 e/w at $7.50/$2.40, $300/$200 e/w at $7/$2.10, $325 e/w at $6/$1.95

Race 5: Heresy $8-$8.50-$6 with bets of $350 at $8.50, $364 at $6.50, Never Talk $8-$9-$8 including a $500 bet at $8.50, Sky Command $8-$11-$10-$9.50 including a big bet of $20,000 e/w at $11/$3.20)

Race 6: Zou Tiger $2.30-$2.40-$2.30 with bets of $1,500 at $2.40, $500 at $2.30 twice

Race 7: Williamsburg $6-$4.20-$3.70 including one bet of $1,000 at $4.80

Race 8: Mr Mozart $4.60-$4.80-$3.90-$3.70 with bets of $600 at $4.80, $500 at $4.20 twice, $500 e/w at $4/$1.80, Startantes $6-$8-$9 including a bet of $1,000 e/w at $7.50/$2.60, Loch Eagle $16-$11, Waterford $11-$8-$7.50 with a bet of $250 e/w at $10/$3.30

Race 9: Finepoint $15-$9

Race 10: Feel The Knight $11-$6-$5.50

Feel The Knight (centre) has been well supported in the final race at Randwick. Picture: AAP Image

EARLY QUADDIE

Race 3: 1,9,10,14

Race 4: 1,2,3,4

Race 5: 1,2,7,8

Race 6: 1,4,6,11

QUADDIE

Race 7: 3,6,7,11

Race 8: 2,9,12,14

Race 9: 2,3,10,13

Race 10: 4,9,11

PRICE CHECK

Sweet Ride (race 4) and Sky Command (race 5), both raced in similar interests, have been heavily backed. Sweet Ride has firmed from $9-$8.50 after a big bet of $20,000 each way at $9/$2.50. Sky Command has come in from $11 to $9.50 after a $20,000 each-way bet at $11/$3.20.

TRIAL POINTERS

Charleise (race 5) is having her 29th race start but her first for new trainer, John O’Shea who won the Group 1 William Reid Stakes with her sire Foxwedge, beating Hay List and Buffering. Foxwedge who also happened to win the Roman Consul Stakes on this same card back in 2011. Charleise is already a stakes-winner having taken out the Spear Chief Stakes at Eagle Farm and was placed in this year’s Glasshouse on a Heavy 10. The mare has certainly looked the part in her two trials, the most recent being a close second to her new stablemate Pizzaro at Randwick on September 26.

Cotehele (race 8) is a stunning type by Tavistock and was purchased for $100,000 at the New Zealand Yearling Sales at Karaka in 2020. The now four-year-old gelding has more than paid for himself inside just 11 starts with three wins and two seconds. Cotehele has acquitted himself in a handful of black-type races notably the South Pacific Stakes and Stan Fox Stakes where he finished fourth each time. A heavy track winner, Cotehele cut an imposing figure when winning his recent heat at Randwick keeping in mind that his first-up record is two wins from three fresh runs.

Cotehele was impressive winning a trial at Randwick recently. Picture: Getty Images

SECTIONAL STARS

Mayrose (race 2) is a John Sargent-trained mare whose three wins include one here at home at Royal Randwick which also happened to be on a Heavy 10. A great-granddaughter of a noted wet-track duffer, Mother Duck, Mayrose has been progressive in every sense this campaign and is building to a fourth career win. She was deemed, by most, the run of the race when she flashed home to finish third, beaten a neck, in the 1200m Midway at Rosehill on September 24.

Selous (race 4) was tipped out after an underwhelming debut at the midweeks back in early May. The James Cummings-trained colt clearly did well in the break on the score of his outstanding first-up win at Goulburn on September 23. The son of Shooting To Win was tenth of the 11 runners turning for home but let rip in the straight to win by upwards of a length in a time of 57.54 seconds for the 1000m with a last (overall) last 600m in 33.89 seconds. Granted, the colt faces some stiffer opposition on Saturday but gives every impression he will measure up.

BEST BET

Finepoint (race 9) made an impressive return to racing to score with authority at Rosehill. She will be fitter for that run and is proven on heavy ground, scoring with ease at Warwick Farm last campaign. This is her stakes race debut but she’s a promising mare building a good race record and is a good gamble around $9.

VALUE BET

King Frankel (race 3) made an impressive Australian debut, romping home more than five lengths clear of moderate rivals at Newcastle. The imported galloper - who won a race in England by 32 lengths! – has firmed from $6 into $4 favouritism. He’s short enough now but looks a promising type and is up to the sharp rise to Saturday grade.

THE JUDGMENT

ROYAL RANDWICK

Race 7: Gloaming Stakes (1800m)

Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “I’m quite happy to be with the winning horse on the back up, Williamsburg. We know a wet track isn’t a problem for him, he’ll probably cruise around at the rear of the field before sprinting down the middle again. I’ve seen a bit of Stylised at the midweeks, he’s a lovely scopey three-year-old and I suspect he measures up here. Sharp ‘N’ Smart is a talented kiwi and has to be respected. Flag Of Honour and Owen County are getting out to a suitable distance now.”

Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “Most of these stepping into uncharted waters (1800m) on a very Heavy track. Like Manzoice at the odds here if you can run on as I thought his last start effort against older horses in a midweek 1800m was solid. Previously to that he really only got going last 100m behind Golden Mile. Only been on Soft 6 but got through that OK.”

Grant Palmer (bookie): “There has been a very strong push for Williamsburg who opened $7 earlier in the week. He won last week in similar conditions but this is harder and he has drawn barrier 18. I have Sharp N Smart on top who was impressive in the winter and has drawn well in barrier 2.”

Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Williamsburg ($5-$3.60) clearly the best supported here on the seven day back up off a strong win last week. A nibble for Stylised at a price.”

Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Williamsburg was brilliant taking out the Dulcify and I think he takes this out too. Punters have been all over him since markets opened.”

Verdict: Williamsburg

Race 8: Silver Eagle (1300m)

Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “Loch Eagle has always given the impression we’d see the best of him with a bit of maturity on his side. He’s there now, and I loved the way he won first up. A wet track suits, and I think he’s worth a play at nice odds. The obvious is Mr Mozart, he too loves a soft track, he’ll roll across from his wide draw to be on the speed and will be hard to get past. Waterford is a huge talent; he was arrogant in the way he won last start and could easily measure up. Godolphin’s Vilana is an exciting type resuming and he’s sure to run a big race. The chances don’t end there, it’s a great race!”

Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “At the odds currently ($9) I have to be with Startantes and buoyed by the fact she has handled a Heavy 10 here in the past when runner-up to Hinged in the Surround Stakes. Both of her runs this time in are far better than what they appear on paper in very strong races. She needs luck as she is a backmarker.”

Grant Palmer (bookie): “Waterford’s first up win at Rosehill was excellent and his second up victory was even better. He does drop back to 1300m here which is my only concern but he is under the watchful eye of master trainer Chris Waller and he will be flying at them late.”

Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Mr Mozart the one the punters have circled here. Unlucky not to win first-up and looks well placed at the 1300m in these conditions. Loch Eagle was enormous when resuming winning from an impossible position and had some admirers.”

Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Conditions looks to play in Mr Mozart’s favour here. Is two-for-two on heavy and should appreciate the extra step up in distance.”

Verdict: Mr Mozart

Mr Mozart (left) is the one to beat in the Silver Eagle. Picture: Grant Guy

CAULFIELD

R7: Might And Power Stakes (2000m)

Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “Anamoe is a deserving favourite, but with a wet track on the cards it sets up for Zaaki to make a statement. Zaaki is high class, and if the breaks go his way he can pick up bragging rights before the Cox Plate rematch. Anamoe has the all clear to continue his spring preparation and by all reports is right on song for this race. It’s not the Grand Final, but it’s an important race for him nonetheless. Mo’unga seems big odds, he ran well last start and a wet track at 2000m looks perfect at this stage of his life. Alligator Blood won’t want too wet a track but he’s tough and won’t give in.”

Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “Tim Clark on Alligator Blood controls here with Zaaki stalking him. This scenario allows James McDonald on Anamoe to bide his time and plot their downfall. I just think he’s too brilliant for them if it develops into a sprint home. Rain predicted in the lead up but nothing significant today so track with just the edge off it.”

Grant Palmer (bookie): “Anamoe has not put a foot wrong this prep winning two group 1 races to kick off this preparation. He maps to get a beautiful run here with Zaaki and Alligator Blood both pushing forward. I’m not sure I’m thunderstruck is a 2000m horse and I will be taking him on.”

Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Happy to lay Anamoe. Suspect Zaaki improves greatly after the flat run second-up where they walked. Kah can press the issue a little earlier and make this a test. Will be hard to get past.”

Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Anamoe looks primed for another Group One despite facing a hot field. In early betting, he is twice as popular as anything else in the race.”

Verdict: Anamoe

Originally published as Talented Godolphin duo Vilana and Brigantine are ready to swoop in Silver Eagle