Kia Ora Stud’s Golden Slipper winning sire Farnan is making every post a winner with his talented colt Grand Eagle scoring his second win when saluting at Randwick on Saturday in scintillating fashion.
Trained by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexious, Grand Eagle had fitness and race experience on his side with a win and a second from three previous starts standing him in good stead.
Ridden quietly by Nash Rawiller, Grand Eagle was last before the turn, but let down with a huge finish to win the 1100m dash by three-quarters of a length taking his overall record to two wins from four starts with prizemoney just shy of $160,000.
Nash Rawiller has now won on Grand Eagle at his past two starts.
“I think we have found the key to him," Rawiller said.
"He is still very green but he was strong late and he's a nice horse. He's a beauty."
A $300,000 Inglis Classic purchase from Valiant Stud for George Moore Bloodstock, Grand Eagle was bought with Hong Kong in mind, but that plan appears to be on ice for now.
"Nash rode him work before he went to Newcastle (at his second start) and put a huge wrap on him," said Gerald Ryan.
"John (Moore) was thinking about taking him to Hong Kong and Nash said, 'don't take him to Hong Kong, he will be winning good races in the spring' so he goes out (for a spell) now."
Grand Eagle is a half-brother to stakes-winner Chilled and is the second winner from three to race from well bred Pierro mare Sauvignon, who comes from the family of Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes winner Catchy.
Sauvignon produced another filly by Farnan last spring before going to Anamoe.
