Owner-trainer-breeder Kylie Little believes she might have a promising stayer on her hands with Eagle Rock, who left maiden ranks with an emphatic performance in Saturday’s Matt Edwards-Lime Group Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa.
The $20,000 race was the third career start for the three-year-old gelding, who had finished second at Pukekohe and Wanganui in his two previous appearances on April 23 and May 11.
Eagle Rock was given a perfect run on Saturday by jockey Bridget Grylls, who slotted him into fourth spot along the rail as Sybaris set a solid pace out in front.
The three horses in front of Eagle Rock began to feel the pinch coming up to the home turn, but the $3.40 favourite was travelling with ease. He strode to the front at the home turn and quickly took command.
Bradley launched a big run from second-last and loomed as a threat down the outside of the straight, but Eagle Rock had plenty left up his sleeve and held on to win by three-quarters of a length.
Eagle Rock is by El Roca out of the Don Eduardo mare Sea Eagle, who won six races up to 2500m and finished fourth in the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2000m).
Raced by Little in partnership with Gene Jacobson, Eagle Rock has now had three starts for a win, two seconds and $18,885 in stakes.
“That was pretty cool,” Little said on Saturday. “He deserved to pick up a maiden win after running so well for second in both of his first two starts. It’s good to see him improving, putting things together and getting more professional.
“I definitely think he’s going to go a lot further than 1600m. He’s closely related to Aljay, who won a New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m). Even though this was only a maiden win today, I might be pretty tempted to put in a New Zealand Cup nomination with him when the spring rolls around.
“We’ll see how he comes through this run today before deciding what we do next and how much further into the winter we go with him. Either way, I think he’ll have at least a week in the paddock for now.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk.
