Auckland trainer Stephen McKee isn’t expecting miracles from former top Irish galloper Eagle Mountain when he resumes on Saturday.
Eagle Mountain was brought back into training after fertility problems at stud in Waikato and runs his first race in two years when he contests the Group One Otaki Weight-For-Age Stakes (1600m).
He is one of the best-performed northern hemisphere horses to race in New Zealand, his Hong Kong Cup victory and second place in the Breeders’ Cup Turf earning him a Timeform rating of 134.
He has had one trial since returning to training for a third over 1000m, and McKee wasn’t sure what to expect.
“After two years away he could be expected to improve with the run,” McKee said.
“He’s got to take to racing again but if he does we’d look to take him to Sydney for a few weight-for-age races there.”
Most of Eagle Mountain’s best runs in the northern hemisphere were at 2000m or 2400m but he holds the course record over a mile (1609m) at Newmarket’s famed Rowley Mile so a peak effort would give him a big chance at Otaki.
The New Zealand TAB isn’t taking any chances, setting him at odds of $7.50 in the 10-horse field. Waikato Sprint winner Veyron is favourite at $2.50.
Eagle Mountain won’t have to deal with his topline stablemate King Mufhasa who is in Melbourne for Saturday’s Group One Futurity Stakes (1400m).