Newcastle trainer Kris Lees isn’t expecting to cause a major upset in the $10 million Golden Eagle, but he is confident that his charges Rivellino and Night Agent can outperform their lofty odds and secure a decent prizemoney cheque for their owners.
As of Thursday, both horses were listed at $101 by bookmakers, with the market dominated by the impressive mare Sheza Alibi at $1.80.
With prizemoney awarded to the first ten horses across the line, ranging from $5.25 million for the winner to $100,000 for ninth, Lees is optimistic that Rivellino and Night Agent are progressing well enough to be in contention for these placings.
The trainer anticipates a busy afternoon, potentially including Tavi Time in the $750,000 Sydney Gold Cup (2000m) on the Golden Eagle undercard. Additionally, the Yulong-owned colt Under Focus is scheduled to contest the stallion-making Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) in Melbourne.
“Big day. They’re all long odds but it’s big prizemoney and I think they’re all capable of running well,” Lees said.
“Night Agent, we’re probably getting him to this level a bit quickly. He’s not well placed in the race, but he’s a quality horse and he’s silly odds.
“He’s won one race this preparation, but he is a good horse, so we have to give him his chance. We can always come back in grade.”
Night Agent endured a wide run from an awkward gate in the Silver Eagle (1300m) but continued to plug away, while Rivellino also finished strongly in the same race, making his return after undergoing throat surgery.
In stakes company during the autumn, Rivellino was not far off some of the best horses of his age group. As an entire, he is expected to be fitter for his initial run.
“He’s another one who, off that first-up, he can easily earn a nice cheque,” Lees commented.
“I don’t think he can beat the favourite, but I’m happy to give him his chance to run well.
“They can both run better than where they sit in the lines of betting.”
Under Focus is priced at $17 for the Coolmore Stud Stakes, having been given a freshen-up since his third-place finishes behind Warwoven in both the Run To The Rose (1200m) and the Golden Rose (1400m).
Lees mentioned that the three-year-old has settled in well in Melbourne and experienced racing down the straight in a Flemington jump-out last Friday. However, the trainer has reservations about his draw in barrier one.
“Really happy with him. He’s trialled well down the straight, and he worked well down the straight on Tuesday,” Lees said.
“It will be five weeks between runs, but the Golden Rose form looks to be standing up well.
“The draw doesn’t look good at this stage, but time will tell. He’s drawn one… we’ll see how that plays out.”
For those interested in the racing odds, consider checking out the available betting markets for the race.