Scorching Trial Has Eagle Monelli Set For Return

A SCORCHING 24.79 return to racing stewards' trial at Ipswich over 431m on Saturday night has primed Eagle Monelli for a much anticipated return to racing at Albion Park on Thursday night.

Eagle Monelli (Keybow-Mamma Monelli) has not raced since winning the Group 3 Darwin Cup on August 6 last year.

“It's been one minor injury problem after another but they have all added up to him being off the scene all this time,” said trainer Jamie Hosking.

FIELDS AND FORM ALBION PARK THURSDAY NIGHT

Eagle Monelli was being set for the Group 3 Townsville Cup after his Darwin success but tore a pin muscle.

“We got him back right and then he tore the other side,' said Jamie.

“He was right to get going again and then got a virus.

“Being an older dog, it has taken longer to get him over these problems and get him right again.”

But the return to racing trial on Saturday night was emphatic.

“He went a couple of tenths quicker than I thought he would,” said Jamie.

Albion Park Thur June 23 2022
5th grade.520m
Box 6 Eagle Monelli – Steve Withers
29.97 (5.55 – 11.84 – 12.58) 5 1/4 x 3/4 pic.twitter.com/YmQ32CHdtC

— John Brasch (@Bunny_Brasch) June 23, 2022

“But he's been trialling as good as he ever has and it shows even with those injuries, he has not lost any ability.”

Eagle Monelli has drawn box six for his Thursday night return to racing in a 520m Masters and he comes up against a first rate field.

“Even though he won the Darwin Cup off the one, I actually don't mind him from a wider draw,” said Jamie.

Hosking had been hoping Eagle Monelli would be ready in time for the Masters series during the recent Summer Carnival at Albion Park but he ran out of time getting him right.

“I've been taking a few dogs up to Bundaberg lately to get them ready for the Bundy Cup coming up,” said Jamie.

“I will probably do the same with Eagle Monelli.”

Eagle Monelli has raced 44 times for 19 wins and earned $105,000.