Chris Waller has declared the A$7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) the target for Subpoenaed (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) after she defeated a high-class field of mares to win the Gr.2 Golden Pendant (1400m).
The four-year-old has threatened to claim a good race but as a backmarker she has often been unlucky.
From a good draw on Saturday, Tommy Berry was able to position Subpoenaed ($5) closer in the run and she charged home to take out the 1400m race by 1-1/4 lengths over Emeralds (Sebring) ($15) with Jen Rules (Redoute’s Choice) ($21) third.
Waller tried Subpoenaed over a middle-distance in the autumn but said he had finally figured out she was a sprinter-miler.
“She gives you the impression because she comes from behind that she will get further but it is not the case with her,” Waller said.
“She likes to be left alone early to find her feet and find her rhythm.
“There was good speed on, and the barrier draw helped us be a little bit closer.”
Waller confirmed Subpoenaed would have her next start in the Silver Eagle (1300m) with the Golden Eagle (1500m) her ultimate target.
The premier trainer also saddled up favourite Haut Brion Her (Zoustar), who finished seventh, and he said she had to do too much work in the early stages.
The winner of four races and A$422,386 in prizemoney, Subpoenaed began her career in New Zealand with Cambridge trainer Tony Pike, for whom she was an impressive Te Rapa winner before her sale across the Tasman.
Pike bred Subpoenaed in conjunction with his parents Wayne and Vicki and she is out of the O’Reilly mare Notice Received (NZ) (O’Reilly), who was a five race winner in Australia.
