Having not started since his debut win in mid-July, 3yo Too Darn Hot colt American Eagle highlighted his spring potential when remaining unbeaten to win the $200,000 G3 MRC McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Jumping away favourite in a race which included last season’s G1-winning juvenile Seize The Day as well as Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Unit Five, the Anthony and Sam Freedman trained American Eagle was ridden by Mark Zahra.
From the inside barrier, Zahra jumped the 3yo away well as Seize The Day went forward, while Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr’s last start maiden winner Phillip Island crossed over from barrier nine to lead.
Getting a gun run on the rail in fourth position, Zahra just needed some luck and when the field rounded the home turn, a gap appeared between the leading pair and American Eagle pounced.
Charging past Phillip Island at the 200m mark, American Eagle held off the late finishing burst of Ciaron Maher’s Unit Five to win narrowly, and record his first stakes victory.
Entered for the G1 ATC Golden Rose (1400m) as well as the G1 WS Cox Plate (2040m), the connections of American Eagle are sure to have some fun with the son of Too Darn hot during the spring.
“It's the time of year that you're hoping to have horses like these, particularly colts go to these sorts of races,” said co-trainer Sam Freedman. “Anthony had a good opinion of this horse very early days up in Sydney, that’s been vindicated, the horse has come down here and shown class at home.”
“He looks the real deal so hopefully he’ll keep getting better.”
“Our plan was always to go to the Guineas Prelude, but I mean he's pretty brilliant.
“He's got a nice turn of foot, he can take up a spot. You're aiming for either a Coolmore or a Guineas, but we'll have a dust set and see how he pulls up.
“One thing I'd say as well, he's won on soft ground in the winter and it’s probably got a bit of give today, so still want to tick a box on firm ground but he's progressive.”
“He'll give himself a chance to run a mile if he want to go that way. I thought he was knocking up probably the last 50, he was probably just ready for the six (furlongs) today.
“So whether we push on, a Prelude, and then whether you pivot and you go to the guineas or whether you go freshen and go to the Coolmore.
Asked if Sydney could be an option, to which Freedman was open to the suggestion.
“For sure, you've got a Golden Rose there. There's probably more seasoned horses at that point in time going to that sort of race but the fact he can take up a spot I think is going to hold him in good stead once he gets out in trip if he does get to a mile in time and the 1400 is a nice stepping stone so we've got some decisions to make."
Riding the colt for the first time on race day, Zahra was impressed with the colt.
“He’s a very nice horse, he jumped really quick and then nearly fell over after that, but he picked himself up and I got to the front a fair way out, good job to battle on, he went again when the other horse came to me.
“There’s a heap of improvement to come, he’s got a very bright Spring ahead of him.”
When asked if he looks a Guineas contender, Zahra felt he would run out the trip.
“I think so. He’s pretty sharp but he’s on the right path first up, you head that way and he’ll be on the right path.
“He’s still very green, he’s got a lot to learn but he’s very tractable, every race he’ll get better, when the grand final comes hopefully he’s at his best.”
Taking his prize money haul to $173,750 from his two unbeaten runs, American Eagle was a $400,000 purchase from the draft of co-owner Yulong at the Magic Millions Sale by Anthony Freedman Racing and Julian Blaxland Bloodstock.
A half-brother to the Listed Tasmanian Derby placed Stardeal (Dundeel), American Eagle is the third winner and first stakes winner from three to the races out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Awake The Star.
From the family of G2 winners Le Zagaletta and My Chicarita (NZ), Awake The Stars has a yearling colt by Grunt (NZ), and after missing to Paulele in the following season, is due to foal this season to Widden Stud’s G1-winning Kingman stallion King Colorado.
The sire of 36 international stakes winners headed locally in Australia by G1 winners Broadsiding and Tropicus, the Darley based Too Darn Hot is standing at a fee of $275,000 (inc. GST) this season at Kelvinside.
