Tough Group Three victory for Easy Eddie

Rosehill winner Easy Eddie may have earned a step up to Group One grade sooner than expected.

Easy Eddie may have earned himself a step up to Group One company sooner than expected with his win in the Maurice McCarten Stakes at Rosehill.

His heavy track victory in Saturday’s (1100m) Group Three sprint was his first black-type win with his other attempt second in the Listed Takeover Target Stakes.

It was also momentous for his jockey, leading apprentice Robbie Dolan, as it was his first Group win.

And there could be bigger things in store with trainer Joe Pride considering backing Easy Eddie up in next week’s Group One Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill which is where stablemate Ball Of Muscle is headed.

“He might run here in a week’s time in the Galaxy,” Pride said.

“I just want to see how he pulls up first. It was always our plan that if he ran well to potentially back him up, because he is a good back-up horse, but we weren’t counting on a Heavy 10 today.

“I’ll keep an eye on him over the next 48 hours.”

For Dolan the occasion was one to savour for the young Irishman who has made Sydney home.

“It might not be a big thing for a lot of people but for me it’s a big thing,” he said.

“I can’t believe it. I would like to thank Joe and his team for having the faith in me and the belief in me.”

Ball Of Muscle is part of the famous family to pass through Pride’s stable as a sibling to Group One winners Terravista and Tiger Tees, winner of the 2014 Galaxy.

Easy Eddie has his own connection to the family with his sire, former Singapore champion Super Easy, a son of grand mare Parfore.

Most of the family have got better as they get older and Pride believes that will be the case with Easy Eddie.

Easy Eddie started the $4 favourite and beat She Knows ($11) by a short neck with the same margin to All Over Bosanova ($5.50).