Eagle eyes Breeders' prize

De Kock to step colt up in trip after comeback win

Last updated: 7th October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Eagle eyes Breeders' prize

Eagle Mountain

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Eagle Mountain could step up to 12 furlongs for the Breeders' Cup Turf later this month according to trainer Mike de Kock.

The four-year-old made a stunning return from injury on Saturday, breaking the course record over Newmarket's Rowley Mile on his first outing for De Kock since leaving Aidan O'Brien, after which he suffered a fractured pelvis.

And although the trainer felt the horse would be in need of the run, his victory in the Nayef Joel Stakes means de Kock can press ahead with plans to saddle the colt at Santa Anita on October 25.

"It looks like he's going there. I thought after his run the other day he showed that his fitness is up there," said the South African trainer.

"I'd have liked to have given him another run obviously before stepping him back up to a mile and a half but to break the track record you've got have to be super fit.

"I was worried he might be short of peak fitness for the race but he gave every indication he's fine, so we might as well have a crack at it.

"He's in very good nick and going into the race with fresh legs is maybe a little bit in our favour."

Eagle Mountain's victory over a mile at Newmarket was all the more remarkable because the horse proved himself over much farther as a three-year-old, being placed in both the England and Irish Derbys before losing to Literato in the Champion Stakes over 10 furlongs by the narrowest of margins.