Racelab have taken a look at all Internationals set to tackle the Spring Carnival, you can check that our here.
Panja Tower (4)
Trainer: Shinsuke Hashiguchi
Jockey: Kohei Matsuyama
The Japanese 4yo horse brings a very similar profile to the past two Japanese raiders in this race, Ascoli Piceno (12th 2024) and Obamburumai (1st 2023). He has had 6 career starts for 4 wins including the G2 Nisai Stakes 1400m, G1 NHK Mile 1600m and the G3 Keeneland Cup 1200m. What he has shown in all of those wins is an elite turn of speed.
Similar to the two other visitors, he does get back in his races which is a slight worry. But what I would oddly say is, the Golden Eagle has been dominated by back markers due to the high-pressure nature of the race. Lake Forest (2024), Obamburumai (2023), I Wish I Win (2022) and I’m Thunderstruck (2021) have all settled worse than midfield to win.
Below is Panja Tower’s G1 NHK Mile win, he drew wide before sustaining a huge gallop and just clinging on. The 1600m looks to be right at the end of his distance range.
This is his Keeneland Cup G3 1200m win 69 days ago, again settling off speed but showing his distance versatility and his elite turn of speed again.
He might not have the class as yet as other visitors, but he has the most upside to come. The key to his winning hopes will likely come down to the track, all of his form has come on dry decks.
Verdict: Worth a EW bet.
Seagulls Eleven (3)
Trainer: Hugo Palmer
Jockey: Tom Marquand
A tough horse to line up in this year’s Golden Eagle – currently at $26 / $4.50. He comes here off a last start 8th in the G1 City of York Stakes 1408m, beaten 4L but did close off in the clearly inferior inside ground, and was only 2L off Lake Forest who had the superior ground out wide – that ties into last year’s edition where Lake Forest was able to win the race.
This was his G3 Thoroughbred Stakes win two starts back over 1609m, in the field of 4 he dictated up on speed turning the event into a sit and sprint and winning comfortably. It also showed his tactical versatility compared to Panja Tower who looks to be one-dimensional.
He doesn’t bring the class of other international raiders and is somewhat exposed after 12 starts but does have the right pattern here to hang on for a placing.
Verdict: Place chance at best.
