Paul Shailer will leave it to his boss Chris Waller to decide whether promising filly Tatcee tackles distance stakes races in the winter.
Tatcee ($9.50) covered a lot of extra ground but still beat Rocknavar ($16) by 1-1/4 lengths with a neck to Love Struck ($18) in the Three Year Old (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
At her previous start Tatcee finished second to the smart Reckless Choice in an open age group race.
Shailer runs Waller’s Gold Coast operation and the stable has had six metropolitan winners in the past seven days to take it to fourth on the premiership with 25 city wins.
Tatcee’s win set Shailer a poser because her strong effort indicated she could be looking for a middle distance.
“But I have my doubts about her at a longer trip. Then again I suppose she did cover 1800m today she was so wide at times,” Shailer said.
“And I suppose if you are going to get 2200m you will do it as a younger horse.”
“But I will leave that up to Chris; after all he is Australia’s leading trainer.”
Trainer Matt Dunn is looking at a staying career for Rocknavar and hopes she will mature enough for a winter campaign.
Stablemates Perfect Witness and Teodora indicated better things to come in winter when they quinellaed the Priceline Pharmacy Plate (2200m) at Eagle Farm.
In a riving finish, Perfect Witness($10) scored by a head to Teodora ($3.70) who looked unlucky after being held up at the top of the straight.
Trainer Tony Gollan has high hopes for both especially as racing has returned to Eagle Farm.
“I probably should have run Perfect Witness at Doomben on Wednesday bit I was really keen to get him out to a distance on a big track,” Gollan said.
“I have a lot of time for him and I think there will be some nice races in the winter for him and Teodora.”
“Teodora was having her first start our way of going since coming from Melbourne but she handled it well and I am looking forward to plenty of success with her.”
