Eagle Memorial a springboard to bigger targets for Towering Vision
Richard Edmunds - Raceform • November 28th, 2025 10:42 AM • 4 min read
Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are hoping to use Saturday’s Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial 3YO at Ellerslie as a stepping stone towards bigger and better things with their proven black-type performer Towering Vision.
The 1500-metre race has a history of unearthing special talent, with its previous winners including subsequent Group One stars Ocean Park (2011), Habibi (2012), Rising Romance (2013), On The Rocks (2017), Two Illicit (2019) and Waitak (2022). And the race’s elite alumni extend beyond the list of winners, with its placegetters including the likes of La Crique (2021) and Grail Seeker (2023).
Towering Vision has already proven himself at stakes level, having stepped up into that company as an autumn two-year-old to record a victory in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes and a third in the Listed Champagne Stakes.
Te Akau Racing’s son of Circus Maximus has made only one appearance since then, resuming in a strong three-year-old race at Ellerslie on November 4 and finishing a close fifth behind subsequent Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas runner-up Affirmative Action.
“That was a good effort first-up,” Bergerson said. “They went no real gallop and he got a position or two further back than we might have liked. He hit the line well and probably just peaked on his run in the last little bit. He should take good improvement from that.
“The more we step him up in trip and the deeper we get into this preparation, the better he should get. He’s made good progress since that first-up run and has been working nicely.
“Going up to 1500 metres on Saturday should be ideal. We think he can hopefully be a Derby horse in time, and I’m really looking forward to the summer with him.”
The TAB currently offers a quote of $26 for Towering Vision in a New Zealand Derby market headed by Well Written ($8), Affirmative Action and Romanoff (both $11).
The Te Akau team will also have a presence in Saturday’s other black-type event for three-year-olds, with talented filly Marokopa Falls lining up in the Listed O’Learys Fillies’ Stakes at Wanganui.
“Her last-start run at Tauranga (fifth behind race rival War Princess) was really good,” Bergerson said. “She drew the outside gate and we had to go back on a day that favoured horses racing up and in and near the speed. She’s come on well from that, and based on that effort, the extra distance should suit her.
“It’s an even-looking field. This is a good opportunity for her to race for a bit of black type. We’d just love to see her draw a bit better and be able to take up a slightly handier position.”
Bergerson was also enthusiastic about the stable’s weekend prospects among the youngest age group.
“I’m looking forward to seeing our two-year-olds step out at Ellerslie on Saturday and Otaki on Sunday,” he said. “Enchantment got it all wrong on a very heavy track on debut, but she’s been a really good trial winner since then.
“First Light is a nice Savabeel filly who’s trialled well and worked particularly nicely this (Tuesday) morning.
“We’ve also got a talented Home Affairs colt, Kinnaird, who trialled well at Avondale. He’s still doing a lot wrong but seems to have plenty of ability.”
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