From the stable of Tony McEvoy, Alpine Eagle has yet to finish a race unplaced. His five starts have seen him win four races and placed third in the other. It was the High Chaparral colt's first step up to a middle distance race and has now added black-type to his pedigree.
"He [Alpine Eagle] is really exciting," commented McEvoy. "He looked in a lot of trouble wobbling around here and he did it a little bit a Morphetville last time.
"He's still coming and for him to get up and win was incredible."
Starting from a middle barrier with jockey Damien Oliver, the pair jumped to settle mid-field, racing on the outside of Minnesinger (Lonhro). Alpine Eagle put in extra effort to work around the outside of the field on the turn in an attempt to catch the lead.
Battling to get near the front as he came into the straight, Alpine Eagle hit the final 100m and displayed an exceptional turn of foot, flying past frontrunners Firehouse Rock (Fastnet Rock) and Minnesinger to take the win by a half head.
"He is still in the Guineas next week. I'll just let the dust settle. He will probably go home and have a freshen up and we'll probably go towards the South Australian Derby, that is favourite at the moment," said McEvoy.
Saturday's win has now earned Alpine Eagle A$176,800 in prizemoney for owner Wolf Blass.
McEvoy Mitchell Racing purchased the colt at the 2013 Karaka Premier Sale for $240,000 from Cambridge Stud.
Bred by Standard 2080 Ltd, Alpine Eagle is out of winning mare Zephyria (Zabeel). He is a half-brother to stakes winner Every Faith (Not a Single Doubt), winner of the Listed Laelia Stakes.
Kiwi-bred galloper Suavito (NZ) (Thorn Park) also saw success at Caulfield on Saturday, claiming his first Group 1 glory in the italktravel Futurity Stakes (1400m) for trainer Nigel Blackiston. Also ridden by Damien Oliver, Suavito took victory with a dominant 1.25 length win over Group 1 winners Smoking Joey (Encosta de Lago) and Dissident (Sebring).
NZB Release
