Australian Guineas contender Alpine Eagle thinks he’s pretty good.
And his trainer Tony McEvoy agrees.
“He’s a bit of an aristocrat,” McEvoy said of the colt who will attempt to continue his rise in Saturday’s Group One race at Flemington.
“Every morning when he comes out at Kildalton Park, he’s like a lion. He roars and lets everyone know that he’s in town.
“He does think he’s the best horse in my stable, and I think he might be right now.”
Alpine Eagle made it four wins from five starts last Saturday when he stepped to stakes company for the first time and charged late to win the Group Two Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield.
He will now chase an even bigger prize in the $500,000 Australian Guineas (1600m).
McEvoy monitored the colt in the days after the Autumn Classic before deciding to back him up.
He said if the Guineas was at Caulfield, he would not have considered it but Flemington’s sweeping bends and long straight played in Alpine Eagle’s favour.
“He looks very exciting. It’s his big test on Saturday and one that I think he’s up to,” McEvoy said.
To be ridden by 13-time Hong Kong champion jockey Douglas Whyte, Alpine Eagle is the $5.50 second favourite behind the Chris Waller-trained Kermadec ($3.40) who is also having his sixth race start.
Kermadec won the Carbine Club Stakes over the course and distance during Melbourne Cup week and caught the eye with a second-up third in a star-studded Hobartville Stakes in Sydney.
The field has been reduced to 14 after the scratchings on Friday of Perth colt Rommel and outsider Rod’s Opinion.
Rommel has filling in his near fore fetlock while Rod’s Opinion is suffering colic.
Testashadow was scratched on Thursday because of a wide draw.
McEvoy pinpointed tough filly Fontein Ruby, Kermadec and Wandjina as some of the main Guineas threats.
“It’s a deep race,” he said.
“Those horses have had more experience than my horse and have probably run in stronger races and had more game day experience.
“But at the end of the day it comes down to ability, and I’m hopeful that my fellow has the ability to win.”
