Japanese Group 1 winner Panja Tower set for Golden Eagle tilt
Japanese star Panja Tower has been confirmed as the latest foreign raider set for a $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) assault at Royal Randwick this year.
Trainer Shinsuke Hashigushi has put Australia's coveted four-year-old feature in his crosshairs as he attempts to replicate the success of fellow Japanese raider Obamburumai in 2023.
Obamburumai gave Japan its first victory in the Golden Eagle two years ago when scoring under the urging of Australian-based jockey Josh Parr.
Panja Tower is a winner of three of her five career starts to date and has twice one in stakes grade, including the Group 1 NHK Mile Cup at Tokyo on May 11.
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Price assessors at TAB quickly installed Panja Tower as an $11 chance on the same line of betting as Aeliana, Evaporate, Linebacker and Treasurethe Moment.
'His trainer, Mr Hashiguchi, when he won the NHK Mile, the first thing he said in his winning interview was that he would send this horse to the Golden Eagle,' Australian Turf Club Head of Racing and Wagering Nevesh Ramdhani told Sky Racing radio.
'That horse is now locked in to travel to Sydney for the race.'
• 'Could be anything this season': Legendary hoops pick their spring stars
Japan has representation in last year's Golden Eagle with favourite Ascoli Piceno (12th) failing to perform as expected while Corazon Beat finished last.
But the international trend continued in the feature with English galloper Lake Forest edging out French talent Lazzat in an incident-charged edition of the race.
It is hoped that multiple European gallopers head to Australia again for the four-year-old feature, including recent Thoroughbred Stakes victor Seagulls Eleven.
Seagulls Eleven, which is raced by members of the Premier League's Brighton Hove Albion, is a $26 chance in betting.
• Skyhook, Pallaton duel for Rosebud favouritism
Trainer Hugo Palmer confirmed last Friday to Racing TV that a trip to Australia was still on the radar.
'It's a lot of money to pass up so we'll just have to see.' he said.
Fellow English trainer Charlie Fellowes last week reiterated his desire to bring Luther ($26) to Australia for the Golden Eagle.
Originally published as Japan's Group 1 weapon Panja Tower poised to head to Australia for $10 million Golden Eagle
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