Improved mare Vienna Princess has all but booked herself a spot in the $10 million Golden Eagle with a commanding victory in an important lead-up at Randwick.
Prepared by Chris Waller, the four-year-old has taken time to hit her straps and while she emerged from winter benchmark grade to post an impressive first-up win at Rosehill last month, Waller wanted to see her raise the bar again in Saturday’s Silver Eagle (1300m).
Vienna Princess ($15) did just that with a length win over surprise packet Strait Acer ($41) with Pericles ($3.70 fav) another half-neck away third.
“She has come good,” Waller said.
“She’s shown us ability in previous preparations, but hasn’t really done it back-to-back, so after a good first-up win I just wanted to see her run similar to that.
“She has probably exceeded my expectations.”
Vienna Princess firmed from $51 into $15 in betting for the Golden Eagle (1500m), which is run at her home track of Rosehill in three weeks.
The first three across the line in the Silver Eagle are exempt from a Golden Eagle ballot.
Winning jockey Kerrin Mcevoy brought up a double on Vienna Princess after earlier winning the Reginald Allen Quality (1400m) on Arctic Glamour and described the Silver Eagle victor as a genuine mare.
“She’s so honest, she’s got a great will to win,” McEvoy said.
“I’ve only ridden her once (before) I think and never got out on her at Rosehill, so it was nice to get the job done on her.”
Australian Guineas winner Legarto and Japan’s Obamburumai are nominal favourites for the Golden Eagle at $6 apiece with online betting companies.
