The in-form Buffalo River has put himself into contention for the $7.5m Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on November 2 after racking up four straight wins with his latest victory at Flemington.

Buffalo River, above in purple and gold colours, is being aimed towards the 2019 Golden Eagle at Rosehill. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Buffalo River, above in purple and gold colours, is being aimed towards the 2019 Golden Eagle at Rosehill. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The former British galloper was a winner at Kempton Park at his last start in England in October 2018 before arriving at Mike Moroney’s Flemington stables where he debuted for a win over 1400m at Ballarat in May this year.

Buffalo River then continued on his winning way with a victory in a three year old Handicap over 1400m at Sandown on June 15 followed by a win in the $135,000 Silver Bowl Series Final (1600m) at Flemington on July 6.

Moroney has sent Buffalo River to the paddock for a short break before bringing him back for the 2019 Spring Carnival with the Golden Eagle high up on the agenda.

“He has gone to the paddock and he’s going to have three weeks there,” Moroney told AAP.

“Then he’ll just get ready to head to Sydney.

“We’ll give him a couple of runs in the spring and hopefully we’d like to get to the Golden Eagle if we can.”

“I think his best is to come.”

The Golden Eagle is a new race for the four year olds and will be run for the first time this year with the first three placegetters in the $500,000 Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick three weeks earlier being exempt from the ballot.

Early betting at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Golden Eagle has Buffalo River marked as a $21 chance while the Chris Waller trained former Western Australian star Arcadia Queen heads the market order at $4.

The Team Hawkes trained Brutal is also well in contention in the betting at $4.60 just ahead of Tassie star Mystic Journey at $5 and Les Bridge’s Classique Legend at $6.

Early betting for the 2019 Golden Eagle at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4 Arcadia Queen, $4.60 Brutal, $5 Mystic Journey, $6 Classique Legend, $10 Verry Elleegant, $11 Kolding, $15 Amphitrite, Military Zone, Nakeeta Jane, Ringerdingding, Sunlight, $17 Graff, Roheryn, $18 Fasika, $21 Buffalo River, Zousain, $26 Avantage, Behemoth, Gem Song, Maid Of Heaven, Miss Fabulass, Pohutukawa, Samizdat, Sesar, Trope, $34 Angel Of Mercy, Extra Brut, Fiesta, Lean Mean Machine, Madison County, Prophet’s Thumb, $41 or better the rest.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.