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| Staff Writer |
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Four-year-olds from across the globe are gathering at Rosehill Gardens, Sydney, for the world's second-richest turf race, the Golden Eagle (1500m), carrying a purse of US$10 million. The race, established in 2019, has previously been won by Kolding (2019), who went on to claim the All-Star Mile, Colette (2020), who later secured the ATC Australian Oaks, and I'm Thunderstruck (2021), who subsequently won the Makybe Diva Stakes.
Bjorn Baker is maintaining his focus on the Golden Eagle with Stefi Magnetica, following her midfield finish in The Everest at Royal Randwick. The Stradbroke Handicap winner, a daughter of All Too Hard, has recovered well from what was her most challenging assignment to date.
"You're only four once and her best form is around the 1400m so we are happy with her going into a Golden Eagle," Baker said.
Meanwhile, William Haggas's latest international challenger, Lake Forest, is adapting impressively to his Australian surroundings. The British-trained colt was among four international contenders who completed light work on Canterbury Park's course proper on Tuesday morning, alongside Japanese hopefuls Ascoli Piceno and Corazon Beat, and unbeaten French contender Lazzat.
Haggas, renowned for his success with Addeybb (dual Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner), Dubai Honour, Young Rascal, Post Impressionist, and Favourite Moon in Sydney, is preparing for his first Golden Eagle runner.
"Lake Forest is really good," travelling foreperson Issy Paul said. "He hasn't left a single nut since he's been here and his weight been great. On the flight he only lost 4kg and he put them back on anyway. He's training well and thinks it's all great so we are very happy with him."
The No Nay Never colt, still technically a 3YO by Northern Hemisphere standards, brings an intriguing profile to the race. His credentials include victory in the Gr.2 Gimcrack Stakes (1207m) at York and a runner-up finish in the Gr.1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
"He is pretty fast when he wants to be but he is a nice laid-back horse," Paul continued. "Although he has only won over 1200m, we are hoping he will give himself to stay the 1500m. The fact he is laid-back and can come off the pace, but he is incredibly fast, will hopefully hold him in good stead."
The Haggas team plans to intensify Lake Forest's preparation later this week, with Cieren Fallon, son of legendary jockey Kieren Fallon, flying in to partner the colt. Paul explained their approach: "We will do a bit more work on Thursday and I tend to do it with all them, jump them out of the gates the week of the race. Unusually on Tuesday or Wednesday to switch them on a bit and let them know it's game time after they've been spoiled for two weeks. He had been running in the UK so we don't need to go made with him, not that we do with any of ours anyway."