Golden Eagle: Runner by runner preview

2. Feroce

Comes through the G1 Toorak Handicap when finishing 8th beaten 4.22L. He peaks here now but does have 2-3L to find fourth up to be winning.

3. Linebacker

Terrific chance here. He had a minor setback before bursting back onto the scene in the Silver Eagle, showing off tactical versatility and a powerful turn of speed. He gets the ideal setup here second-up rising to 1500m from a lovely draw. One of the top Australian hopes, but off his last start win, needs to again improve if he’s to win.

4. Sepals

Absorbed a fast tempo before kicking away in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes over 1400m. That form ties into Angel Capital. Forget he went around last start when he was galloped on badly. Smart SP profile and has been completely missed by the market. Great each-way hope.

SEPALS IS A GROUP 1 STAR ⭐

Craig Williams makes it a Group 1 double and wins his eighth Rupert Clarke Stakes!

Cliff Brown is back at the top as a trainer 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/V5tmV8JzgP

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 20, 2025

5. Willydoit

Back-to-back luckless but impressive efforts this time in. Albeit 7th, the rain-affected track suits.

6. Fully Lit

In a race full of speed, gate 14 makes it a touch more difficult for Fully Lit. A surprise run in the Epsom when sticking on for third at huge odds. This is another step up, and he looks up against it.

7. Depth Of Character

Has had an up-and-down preparation thus far. This doesn’t look any easier overall.

8. Lord Penman

Flashing light run last in the Silver Eagle behind Linebacker when weaving a passage late. He does have a negative get-back pattern, but that can be offset here with the huge amounts of speed up front. Place chance.

9. Mayfair

Solid first-up effort for the new stable, he stuck on well when giving race fitness away. He can only improve second-up but will need to absorb plenty of pressure.

10. Shangri La Spring

Looks out of his depth here.

11. Cristal Clear

Another who is in great form but rises a grade or three here class-wise.

12. Panja Tower (For replays and more info, click here)

Brings a near-exact profile to Obamburumai and Ascoli Piceno. A lightly raced type coming off an eye-catching G3 1200m win; before that, he sustained a huge run to win the G1 NKH Mile. 1500m looks his sweet spot, with the only query being the inside draw and rain-affected track. Massive chance—worth a little each-way bet.

13. Seagulls Eleven (For replays and more info, click here)

The second of the internationals. Comes here off a forgive run last start when closing off back to the inferior ground in the G1 City Of York Stakes. Interestingly, last year’s Eagle winner Lake Forest was in the same race, finishing 2L in front of Seagulls Eleven when closing off in the better going. He does need to improve off that significantly, but can.

14. Autumn Glow

How good is she? We are yet to see her at her best due to the nature of her tempo in races to the 600m. With this hot tempo expected up front, I think we will see the best version of Autumn Glow. She maps to land as she pleases and gets the master James McDonald aboard. Incredibly hard to beat.

What a mare! Autumn Glow shines the brightest in the G1 TAB Epsom and remains unbeaten to claim her Group 1! 🙌 ⭐️@KPMcEvoy @cwallerracing @ArrowfieldStud @aus_turf_club @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/VhBl3o28F1

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 4, 2025

15. Perfumist

Back to career best form with the recent rise in trip. Brings smart formlines behind Idle Flyer. She has the right pattern to offset this hot tempo and will be there for a long way deep into the prep.

16. Modella

Thrown completely in the deep end here coming off a dominant last start win in Midway grade, that doesn’t look to be the right formline for this year’s event.