Capable race mare Sea Eagle (NZ) left the best until last during her brief breeding career.
The daughter of Group One winner Don Eduardo’s final foal is the promising Eagle Rock (NZ) (Eagle Rock), who will attempt to add to his record in the Property Brokers Taumarunui 3YO (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.
The El Roca gelding is prepared by part-owner and breeder Kylie Little who trained Sea Eagle to win on six occasions, including two editions of the Parliamentary Handicap (2200m) at Trentham.
Of her two previous live foals, Eagle Rock’s older sister Golden Eagle (NZ) (El Roca) won once, while another sibling Belle Fille (NZ) (El Roca) was unraced.
“She was a good mare and taught me a lot. She’s been retired, he’s the last foal which may have been a bit premature, but she raced until a later age (eight),” Little said.
“He (Eagle Rock) is probably a bit more relaxed than her, and she was quite a short-coupled little brown thing whereas he’s more classic looking with a bit of length about him.”
Eagle Rock finished runner-up in his first two starts at Pukekohe and Wanganui before he broke his maiden last time out over a mile at Te Rapa at the end of May.
“He’s still got to learn the game, he’s not a racehorse yet but he’s getting there,” Little said.
“He trialled up nicely at Te Awamutu and has done well since.
“The distance could be a little bit short, he’s a really nice stayer in the making but at a young age he’s probably still sharp enough to go a nice 1400m.”
Safely through the weekend, Eagle Rock may make another trip to the Central Districts for a special conditions maiden over 1800m.
“All going well, he’ll go to New Plymouth and depending on that we’ll see whether we give him one more over ground,” Little said.
“We’ll put him aside then and bring him back, there’ll be plenty left in the tank for the autumn.
“In time, I think he’s going to be a really nice type of cups’ horse.”
Lynsey Satherley has been booked to ride Eagle Rock while Bridget Grylls will be aboard stablemate Irrigate (NZ) (Ocean Park) in The Callinan Family Taumarunui Gold Cup (2200m).
The Ocean Park mare posted consecutive minor placings before an under-par effort at Te Rapa earlier this month.
“She threw a spanner in the works and before that she was going on all cylinders,” Little said. “It was just one of those days, so we’ll just put in behind us and move on. I think with the track improving it will suit her a lot better on Saturday.”