Pinito breaks maiden for Waller after Queensland Oaks placing
Trainer Chris Waller got his reward by adopting a measured start to autumn with Pinito, despite contemplating grander intentions.
The four-year-old Godolphin mare notched her debut victory for the leading handler in the Group 3 Aspiration Quality (1600m) on Saturday at Randwick, bypassing a potential Group 1 challenge in the upcoming Coolmore Classic (1500m).
"Her first-up run was excellent. We even thought about running her in a Coolmore, but she had a long time off and she was second-up, so we decided to take the easy steps," Waller said.
Pinito, who was runner-up in the Queensland Oaks (2200m) last winter, hinted at better to come when closing for fourth to Cinsault in the February 21 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) on return, and her Randwick success marked her first at Group standard.
According to Waller, she required a period to adapt following her move from James Cummings but is now in rhythm, positioning the Epona Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill in a fortnight as a prime next port of call.
"The Epona would be perfect," he said.
"She showed good form in a Queensland Oaks as a three-year-old so if we can gradually get her up in distance that will be a good plus."
James McDonald aboard Pinito ($3.40 fav) produced a surging finish from the tail to defeat Starphistocated ($41) by a half-length, with Polymnia ($10) three-quarters of that margin adrift in third.
The jockey was buoyed by her previous effort and focused on executing the move correctly.
"Off the last run she showed an incredible turn of foot, so I knew it was going to be there," McDonald said.
"It was just a matter of timing it right, and she did the rest."
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