Racing: Allez Eagle back to best after foot issue

John Bary

Allez Eagle drew serious attention to his future Group One prospects when he made a triumphant return to racing at Hastings.

The five-year-old hadn't raced since a foot issue cut short his Queensland winter campaign, but a trial and an exhibition gallop had him ready to add the Gr.3 Linwood Park Stud Spring Sprint to his record.

"He's a very good horse and he'll improve a lot with that run," trainer Tony Pike said. "He's not really a 1200-metre horse now, more 1400 to a mile."

To that end, Pike is looking toward the Gr 1 Windsor Park Plate at Trentham on October 24 and the Gr 2 Coupland's Bakeries Mile at Riccarton on November 11 for the gelding.

Allez Eagle was able to enjoy a perfect run near the pace set up by Ryan Mark, who was taken on in front by Salamanca.

"Ryan Mark got softened up, which was unfortunate for them, and we got a lovely trip," Pike said. "He got the job done on the line and I was rapt to see him win."

Allez Eagle accounted for the dual group one winner Recite (Craig Grylls), who John Bary, of Hastings, trains while Ryan Mark took third from the fast-finishing duo of Mighty Solomon and Mosse.

"He's a lovely horse to ride, he's got so much power," winning rider Danielle Johnson said. "It was a good fresh-up win and he was strong to the line."

-A family operation celebrated one of its finest racing days when the well-related Amarula upstaged his three-year-old rivals at Hastings.

The colt is prepared at Matamata by Peter McKay and his son Jacob, whose younger brother Shaun posted the biggest win of his career when he guided the longshot to victory in the Gr.2 Sacred Falls Hawke's Bay Guineas.

"It's a great feeling, a big thrill to win for Mum and Dad," the apprentice said.

Amarula had won three in a row before minor roles at Hastings and Ruakaka and a gear addition had him back to his best in the Guineas.

"We put the blinkers on him to help him to concentrate," McKay said.

Amarula's odds for the Gr.1 Sothys 2000 Guineas have been cut from $51 to $21 while second-placed Scrutinize's effort now has him the $5 favourite for the November 7 classic.

"He's a lovely colt and we think he's pretty special," said Stephen Autridge, who trains Scrutinize with Jamie Richards.