Commonwealth Cup second Lake Forest and unbeaten French sprinter Lazzat take aim at A$10 million Golden Eagle

Commonwealth Cup runner-up Lake Forest and the unbeaten Lazzat bid to become the first European winner of the A$10 million (£5.06m/€6.06m) James Squire Golden Eagle at Rosehill on Saturday.

The Golden Eagle is the second most valuable race in Australia behind The Everest, and the Richard Hannon-trained Beat Le Bon fared best of the four European horses to compete when sixth in the inaugural running in 2019.

Last year’s Gimcrack winner Lake Forest, who is trained by William Haggas, has finished second on both starts this term and followed up his Royal Ascot effort when beaten half a length in the Hackwood Stakes at Newbury in July.

The Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy-owned colt is stepping up to 7½f for the first time, and jockey Cieren Fallon believes he has the talent to be in the mix.

Fallon said: “He feels great and has done well for coming out here. He coped well with a big field at Royal Ascot and has a good mind. I’m really looking forward to it; he definitely has the ability to run a big race.”

Lazzat: has a 6-6 recordCredit: Racing Post/Burton

Lazzat extended his unbeaten record to six when securing a first Group 1 in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville in August.

The Nurlan Bizakov-owned three-year-old won in impressive fashion by three lengths and is partnered by regular rider Antonio Orani.

Trainer Jerome Reynier said: “He’s done nothing wrong and has proved he can cope with any kind of conditions. He has a really high cruising speed and ticks many boxes.

“The [2lb] weight allowance against the four-year-old southern hemisphere horses is a little help, and we’re quite confident he will run a good race.”

Obamburumai was the first Japanese winner last year and Grade 1 scorer Ascoli Piceno is one of two runners for that country, while the Chris Waller-trained Joliestar heads the home challenge.

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.