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By Ray Hickson

It’s a hit, run and return mission that trainer Ciaron Maher believes the $10 million in prizemoney on offer for the Golden Eagle will encourage a lot more of in the future.

Trainer Ciaron Maher at Canterbury.

As Light Infantry, the $5 favourite with TAB in the Golden Eagle (1500m) run at Rosehill Gardens on October 29, settles into his temporary home at Canterbury the trainer revealed the unique plan for the talented four-year-old.

Trained at Newmarket by David Simcock, Light Infantry has been secured by Australian clients including Ossie Kheir, Colin McKenna and John O’Neill and will run in the Golden Eagle before heading back to Europe to prepare for Royal Ascot next year.

He’ll then travel back to Australia and back into Maher’s care.

“It’s probably not something that’s been done too much before,’’ Maher said.

“If it wasn't for the prizemoney you wouldn’t get a horse of this stature, being a colt, coming out here and racing, you’d probably get the rung below. The owners had to fork out quite a bit for him so it’s a big carrot to bank a bit back and hopefully he can.

“David (Simcock) and his clients were keen to retain a decent chunk of this horses but they were also keen to bank some money.

“We had some clients that were very keen on coming out and racing here in the Eagle then going back for the Royal Ascot experience.

“So we structured a deal where he comes over to us. He comes out here for a little holiday, hopefully picks up a big cheque then packs his bags and goes back to Newmarket. It’s probably something we will start to see more of.

“The idea would be to bring him back to Sydney and hopefully continue on his merry way.”

Light Infantry has raced just five times for two wins, including a Group 3 at Newbury, and two Group 1 seconds at Deauville where he beat the likes of State Of Rest out of a placing.

That race was the Haras De Fresna (1600m) on August 14 and he was beaten less than half a length by the classy Inspiral.

“He went to another level, he’s shown glimpses of that but it was a star-studded field last start,’’ Maher said.

“He was beaten by probably the best filly in Europe. It’s scary. He’s a very active, athletic horse, he’s still going to furnish so he’s an exciting horse.

"If he can carry that form through he’s going to be very hard to beat."

Maher said he has been impressed with what he’s seen of the entire since he arrived in Sydney on Saturday evening and that most of the work had already been done before he left Newmarket.

Jockey Jamie Spencer, who has been on board in all five starts to date, is due to arrive early next week and he’ll put the finishing touches on the horse for the Golden Eagle.

She's back! Inspiral lands the Group 1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques Le Marois at @fgdeauville for @FrankieDettori, the Gosdens and @CPStudOfficial! pic.twitter.com/4wuprgF9VQ

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 14, 2022

“You can see he is very athletic, he’s obviously been in work a long time and he looks like he’s travelled really well,’’ Maher said.

“He just had a hack this morning, he’ll do a little bit more the next couple of days. Jamie will arrive next week and he’ll have a nice stretch of the legs to keep a lid on him.

“I’m very comfortable where his fitness is at.”

Of course, 10 per cent of the prizemoney won by every runner in the Golden Eagle will be donated to a charity specified by connections of each horse.

Canterbury is a hive of activity this spring with 10 internationals arriving, most set to stay with local trainers and many are expected to race on Golden Eagle Day or soon after.

Trainer Marco Botti has sent a grey called Bois D’Argent, a likely runner in the $750,000 Rosehill Gold Cup, and Divine Magic; Annabel Neasham will train Stars Of India, Asgoodassobergets and Gear Up; Chris Waller has Longvillers likely heading to the $2m Five Diamonds, John O’Shea picks up Athabaskin (maybe Rosehill Gold Cup) and Kris Lees has Night Of Romance and Adjourn joining his stable.

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