Nash Rawiller will be aiming to extend his unbeaten record aboard Grand Eagle when the promising youngster contests Saturday’s ATC Bookmakers Recognition Day Handicap (1100m) at Randwick.

The colt, trained by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, broke through for his maiden win last start at Hawkesbury with Rawiller in the saddle—his only ride of the day, having previously been impressed by a track gallop.

“Nash came out and rode him in a piece of work just before Hawkesbury and liked what he felt,” Ryan said. “He went there just for this horse and made it count.”

Before that win, Grand Eagle had shown ability without sealing the deal. He was runner-up on debut at Warwick Farm, then flopped at Newcastle when blinkers were added, prompting a gear change next time out.

“He’s still a work in progress,” Ryan said. “He threw away his first start, didn’t handle the blinkers second up, and even at Hawkesbury he was still a bit wayward when he got to the front.”

The two-year-old will now line up for his fourth and final run of the campaign, facing off against the likes of Beskar, a placegetter in the Kindergarten Stakes, and Gobi Desert, who resumes after a tough run in the Inglis Nursery but brings strong Max Lees Classic-winning form.

“Win or lose, he’ll be going for a break after this,” Ryan confirmed. “He’s got talent, just needs time to mature.”