The Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou-trained Eagle Nest ($6.50) has made every post a winner to claim victory in the Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon, fending off the late challenge of Time To Boogie ($4.40) and Pisanello ($2.30) in the concluding stages.
Rachel King sent the daughter of Shalaa to the top from barrier 10, taking luck out of the equation aboard the resuming five-year-old mare as she looked to dictate terms throughout the 1100m journey.
She was hardly left alone out in front as Coal Crusher () sat to her outside, while Time To Boogie utilised the inside draw of barrier one to sit on her hinds every step of the way.
Pisanello was smoking to the pipe in behind the genuine tempo to get the last crack at his rivals under Zac Lloyd, while Felix Majestic () bombed the start under Josh Parr and was forced to make inroads from a long last turning for home.
It was a grandstand finish as Eagle Nest, Time To Boogie and Pisanello went to the line locked to together, however, it was Eagle Nest getting the head down where it matters most to secure her sixth career victory.
Sterling Alexiou was on course at Rosehill to discuss the win.
“It’s really pleasing,” said Alexiou.
“She’s a really bonny mare. She gives you everything. I didn’t think she’d get the front as easy as she did, but when she did, I was quite confident she was going to reach be really hard to beat and she really dug in late.
“The more and more I looked at it, I sort of talked myself out of going forward, but she’s a really, really fast filly. She loves the 1100m at Rosehill and we just said to Rachel (King), if she begins well, press forward, let your intentions be known and take the race by the scruff of the neck.
“It’s really pleasing for the stable. It’s been a great, great day for all the staff and our owners and looking forward to a few more wins with her actually.
“The plan with her was she’ll go to the Chairman’s Sales. So we’ll just have a look what’s around for her – possibly a Sapphire Stakes, but they might want her out at Newgate to get her ready for the mare’s sale. She’s going to be a nice purchase for someone.”
Rachel King was delighted with the performance as she spoke post-race.
“She’s great at this distance and first up and she said that little bit of a freshen up,” said King.
“She felt super when I trialled her the other day. When she jumped like that and I looked across and there was already nearly two lengths in front straight away it was an easy decision made (to lead). I got a beautiful little mid-race breather into her and she was really tough late.
“She just wanted to get a bit closer to the horse on my inside because I knew if she could really get it in her eyesight, she would dig in and she really did. I thought it had us beaten and was going to get past her but I felt her lift when it did get head and head.
“I think I did pretty much eyeball her and go head and head. So it was a really good effort and good training effort from the team.”
“She’s all heart. She gave me everything today. She got in a beautiful rhythm and kicked hard late.”
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