Australia's top four-year-old horses will compete against four international visitors this Saturday in the country's second biggest race – the $10 million James Squire Golden Eagle at Rosehill Gardens.
Sydney's groundbreaking race, which is followed in 65 countries around the world, will also donate a total of $1 million in prize money to charities associated with each of the 20 horses in the field.
10 percent of all prize money earned is donated – the winning horse's share totaling $525,000 to a charity.
A full list of locally operating and affiliated charities follows:
| Charity/Foundation | Horse name |
|---|---|
| Alzheimer's Research Australia | LAZZAT (FR) |
| Aust Lions Childhood and Cancer Research Found. | CHRYSAOR |
| Camp quality | SOUTHPORT TYCOON |
| Exodus Foundation (Rev. Bill Crews Found.) | WAR MACHINE (NZ) |
| Humpty Dumpty Foundation | TOM KITTEN |
| McGrath Foundation | MACARENNA |
| Multiple Sclerosis Australia | CORAZON BEAT (JPN) |
| Muscular Dystrophy Foundation NSW | CRAIG (UK) |
| Red kite | HANDLE |
| Ronald McDonald House | PORT LOCKROY |
| Royce Simmons Foundation | OYSTER |
| Save Our Sons Duchenne Foundation | ASCOLI PICENO (JPN) |
| Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation | MAGNETIC STEFI |
| The Mark Hughes Foundation | SKYBIRD |
| The Sony Foundation | KINTYRE |
| Youngcare | XIDAKI |
| Ricky Stuart Foundation | SEA FOREST (GB) |
| Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation | JOLIESTAR |
| Police Citizens Youth Club NSW | ENCAP |
| Fordham Foundation | VEIGHT |
Japanese filly Ascoli Piceno, trained by Yoichi Kuroiwa and world-renowned jockey Joao Moreira, has a $5.50 TAB chance with unbeaten French galloper Lazzat, trained by Jerome Reynier for international jockey Antonio Orani at $6.
Master Sydney trainer Chris Waller's Joliestar, with Kerrin McEvoy on board, is the $5 TAB favorite on her home track as the locals look to fend off the visitors.
James Squire Golden Eagle favorite Joliestar (James McDonald) storms into the Royal Randwick. Image by Bradley Photographers
Top British trainer William Haggas has Lake Forest ($26) with Cieren Fallon to ride, while Japan is also represented with Corazon Beat ($51) for trainer Shizuya Kato and jockey Tommy Berry.
Nevesh Ramdhani, head of racing and betting at the Australian Turf Club, said the quality of international runners combined with Australia's best made this year's field the strongest ever.
“With a capacity of 20 runners, the James Squire Golden Eagle has become one of the most watched and bet on races of the entire year,” Mr Ramdhani said.
“The eyes of the racing world will be on Rosehill Gardens to see if Japan can defeat the James Squire Golden Eagles for the sixth race in a row.
“We are also pleased that all of Australia’s major stables are turning to this race in gigantic numbers as their spring ‘Grand Final’.”
Saturday's 10-race card features a star-studded line-up of sprinters in the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes, led in the markets by TAB Everest winner Bella Nipotina ($2.80-2.60) for Ciaron Maher and Craig Williams.
Sunshine in Paris – one of four other runners returning from TAB Everest – is $5 for coaches Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald and rider Tommy Berry.
The $750,000 Group 3-Rosehill Gold Cup adds additional features to Saturday: Hinged for Chris Waller and Joao Moreira opens the $4.60 TAB favorite ahead of Relentless Voyager for the combination of Maher and Williams , which is well secured early at $7.50 to $6.
Full Rosehill Gardens starting positions can be found HERE and full TAB markets for all races can be found HERE.
Golden Eagle Day also features a food festival atmosphere with a number of outlets located throughout the route, including a concession stand area at the front of the Grand Pavilion.
Public transport, including ferry services from Circular Quay to Rydalmere and Parramatta wharves and dedicated buses directly to the course, is included in general admission tickets and for ATC members.
For all available tickets and information for the upcoming days of the Sydney Everest Carnival, including Golden Eagle Day at Rosehill Gardens, visit theraces.com.au
