Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou to weigh up Randwick Gosford Guineas options for Amazing Eagle

Co-trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou are leaning to the Listed Gosford Guineas over Randwick for the progressive Amazing Eagle.

Amazing Eagle could be saved for next week's Listed Gosford Guineas. Picture: Bradley Photos

Trainer Gerald Ryan has indicated promising three-year-old Amazing Eagle will miss Saturday’s Royal Randwick race and be reserved for the Listed $200,000 Gosford Guineas on New Year’s Eve.

“At this stage, we are going to wait with Amazing Eagle for the Guineas,” Ryan said.

“I will look at the acceptances when they come out on Friday for the Gosford Guineas and then I will scratch the horse from one or the other straight away.”

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Amazing Eagle, winner of the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes during the spring, is the highest-rated three-year-old among the 13 entries for the Gosford Guineas, run at Wyong on Tuesday.

At Saturday’s Royal Randwick meeting, Amazing Eagle has been entered to take on older horses in the James Squire Handicap (1200m) where the colt is challenging for favouritism at $4.80.

Ryan, who trains in partnership with Sterling Alexiou, said Amazing Eagle has trained on well since his unlucky second in the Pierata Plate at Doomben.

“The track was a heavy 10 that day which he didn’t appreciate and he also copped a black eye out of the race,” Ryan said.

“We gave him an easy time for six days to get over it and that’s why we gave him a barrier trial last Monday. He had a bit of a blow after the trial and has come on well from it.”

Ryan and Alexiou also withdrew Randwick dual acceptor High Blue Sea from the James Squire Handicap to run instead in the Captivant At Kia Ora Handicap (1400m).

High Blue Sea resumed with a good third to Zoubaby in a Randwick Midway two weeks ago and seems set for a good summer campaign.

“We decided on the 1400m race on Saturday because we felt it suits the horse better and we could get Nash (Rawiller, jockey) back on him again,” Ryan said.

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 horse lost his way a bit last time but I blame that on the ‘shifty’ track. He ran a good race first-up and has come back well this time in.”

The Ryan and Alexiou-trained It’s A Wonder, an impressive first-up winner at Hawkesbury, is in the market at $6 for the Midway Handicap (1400m).

“I thought she was very strong through the line at Hawkesbury,” Ryan said.

“She sets herself a task as you have to ride her back but she is a lot stronger this time in work.

“This looks like a nice race for her. Although it’s a harder race than Hawkesbury, she drops 3kg, she’s trained on well and Randwick suits her.”

Ryan and Alexiou also withdrew two-year-old colt Blitzburg from the Randwick opener, the Petaluma Handicap to run instead at Eagle Farm in the Portland Sky Handicap (1200m).

“It was a no-brainer to go to Brisbane,” Ryan said. “He was $15 at Randwick but he is the $5 favourite for Eagle Farm.

“If he wins, then he probably gets into the Magic Millions (2yo Classic, Gold Coast, January 11) but if he runs second, then he’s on the borderline.

“We sent the colt up Tuesday night, he travelled well and hasn’t missed a beat since he got there. He’s drawn well (barrier six) and should be hard to beat.”

Originally published as Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou to weigh up Randwick Gosford Guineas options for Amazing Eagle