Lean Eagle on track for Cleveland Bay

By Glenn Davis

Talented sprinter Lean Eagle is ticking all the boxes so far in his quest for the $100,000 Cleveland Bay Handicap in Townsville in August.

Trainer Stephen Massingham will take the next step towards ensuring a start in the 1300 metre feature when he loads the Cairns-based five-year-old on a float for the Lightning Handicap at Mackay on Tuesday.

Lean Eagle made his open company debut last start with a dominant 1000 metre win over Townsville flyer Roweiner’s Dance at Cluden Park on April 30.

“His win was super,” Massingham said.

“I didn’t think he could win as he was a little underdone and was first-up.

“I thought they might be too sharp for him first-up, but he picked them up quickly and won well in the end.”

Although the son of Lean Mean Machine hasn’t raced for more than a month, Massingham is hopeful the gelding can extend his winning sequence to six in the 1100 metre Lightning Handicap.

“I’m getting him ready for the Cleveland Bay and he’s been set for the Lightning,” Massingham said.

“His next run will be in the Newmarket at Mackay then hopefully the Cleveland Bay.”

Massingham believes Lean Eagle is currently close to making the field for the Cleveland Bay Handicap.

“He’s a 79.5 rater and would be on the cusp now of getting into the Cleveland Bay,” he said.

“If he could pick up another win it would be great and would lift his rating more. I’ve got a good opinion of him and he won over 1400 metres at Cairns when he carried 62kg.”

Lean Eagle was a cheap $25,000 buy online and took his record to seven wins and five placings from 14 starts with his recent Townsville victory.

Massingham won his first Cleveland Bay Handicap last year with Speed Legend, who will attempt to defend his crown again this year.

Speed Legend was beaten six lengths by Lean Eagle when he finished sixth in their recent Townsville clash.

The veteran sprinter is a rising 10-year-old and subsequently finished second in the Open Handicap at Innisfail on Saturday.

Stable rider Ryan Wiggins will return to partner Lean Eagle, who was ridden by Sean Cormack last start.

“Ryan normally rides Lean Eagle, but he couldn’t make the weight last time when Sean rode him,” Massingham said.

Massingham will take a team of three to Mackay with Line ‘Em Up Loui starting in the Benchmark 60 Handicap and She’s Speedy in the Benchmark 55 Handicap.

“On their form, the other two have also got good chances and they should be competitive," Massingham said.

Line ‘Em Up Loui is coming off an eye-catching third in an 1100 metre Benchmark race at Mackay on June 11.