The right conditions and the right run have helped Aim to a narrow victory at Randwick and secured him a berth in the $7.5 million Golden Eagle later this month.
The four-year-old has mixed his form throughout his career but co-trainer Paul Snowden says he needs a firm track and genuine tempo to race to his best and he got both in the Silver Eagle (1300m) on Saturday.
“He is one of those horses that you have to wait for the right conditions. He is no good on soft ground,” Snowden said.
“We saw what he did in the Magic Millions three-year-old last year, he just blew them away.
“When he gets those conditions on the day, he is certainly right up there with anything that he races against.”
Aim ($31) got the verdict by a short head over Ellsberg ($4.40), who ran a great race after stalking the speed, with Count De Rupee ($8.50) close up, another long neck away.
All three have qualified for a spot in the Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on October 30 and Snowden says while the extra distance is a query, it is worth rolling the dice.
“We are getting into unchartered territory with him as far as the distance goes but I suppose we have got to really think about it,” Snowden said.
“He is in the race, qualified now, and it’s certainly going to be interesting.”
The Silver Eagle was marred by an incident on the home turn when leader Triple Ace suffered what was later confirmed to be a catastrophic leg injury.
Jockey Alysha Collett did an incredible job to keep him on his feet and avoid what would have been a horror fall.
She told stewards the horse’s action felt fine before and during the race and that Triple Ace was travelling well when he changed stride and his leg buckled.
Several rivals were severely impeded, including second favourite Vangelic with jockey Tim Clark saying it put her out of play.
“That incident on the turn took her out of the race completely,” Clark said.
