Kris Lees went a long time wondering where Loch Eagle’s next win was going to come, but the Newcastle trainer is optimistic he won’t have to wait as long for his next success.
The six-year-old gelding is favourite for Saturday’s $500,000 The Wave (1800m) at the Gold Coast.
The son of Lonhro heads to The Wave off a win over the same trip at Eagle Farm on December 14, which was his first win since victory in the previous year’s The Ingham (1600m).
His best finishing position in 10 runs in between wins was sixth, but the majority of starts were in Group company, and Lees said the weight-for-age The Wave appeals as a suitable option for the horse who owns a seven-point ratings edge on the next highest-rated runner in the race.
“He hadn’t won for 12 months, albeit he had been racing in pretty strong company, so he appreciated that drop in grade and got a bit of confidence,” Lees said.
“He’s probably in pretty well at the weights being a weight-for-age race.
“He won that race last start on wet ground, which is probably his preferred surface, and now he’s had that conditioning run at that trip and I think he’ll run well again.”
Five of Loch Eagle’s seven wins have come on Soft or Heavy tracks and on Thursday the Gold Coast track was rated a Soft 6 with the chance of showers on both Friday and Saturday.
Jason Collett has the ride on Loch Eagle in The Wave with the pair to start from barrier four.
