War Eternal wins but classy stayers impress behind him

War Eternal has capitalised on race fitness to land a gritty win at Rosehill but the returns of two Chris Waller-trained stayers behind him are set to prove more poignant pointers for the spring carnival.

Seven-year-old War Eternal enjoyed the rain-affected conditions to post his fifth win in Saturday’s Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m) and may be given a black-type opportunity while he is racing so well.

“Jason (Collett) gave him a lovely ride. He needed the breaks to come when they did but he took advantage of it and raced away really well,” trainer Bjorn Baker’s racing manager, Luke Hilton, said.

“He’s a seven-year-old so he is probably at the top of his game at the moment.

“There might be a not-strong Listed stakes race we might be able to find while he is racing in this good form. We will just keep chipping away while these tracks have got a little bit of juice in them.”

Hilton was deputising for Baker, who was enjoying a working holiday in France but keeping a close eye on proceedings from afar.

“He said he was going to get up and watch them so hopefully that will bring a smile to his face,” Hilton said.

War Eternal scored by a half-neck from stayer Birdman, who made an encouraging return at his first start since the Sydney Cup, with his stablemate and last year’s Metropolitan winner Land Legend another 1-1/4 lengths away third.

Waller said Land Legend, who placed in the Caulfield Cup last year but disappointed in three autumn runs, could head towards the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) in Melbourne while Birdman appealed as a candidate for the Metropolitan (2400m).

“Land Legend, it was good to see him settle well when they backed off in the middle stages. He has matured a bit,” Waller said.

“He will follow more a weight-for-age path now because he’s got a high rating. I’d say Chelmsford Stakes next start then we’ll find a suitable 2000 metre race. Maybe a Turnbull.”

Birdman found the line stylishly under James Mcdonald who felt the gelding wasn’t suited in the heavy conditions.

“James said he wasn’t entirely comfortable in the ground so it was a very good first-up run and he’s come back well,” Waller said.

“He could be a Metropolitan horse.”