Chris Waller has flagged Group One autumn carnival ambitions for progressive filly Subpoenaed (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) after she resumed with a strong win over older rivals at Randwick.
Starting a popular $1.65 favourite, the three-year-old was given time to find her feet by Tommy Berry and gave backers no cause for concern when winning Saturday’s Sky Racing Active Handicap (1400m) by 1-3/4 lengths.
Subpoenaed showed enough ability in the spring for Waller to test the waters in the Gr.2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) where she finished sixth.
But the premier trainer has no doubt she is a more mature filly this autumn and has the scope to run a middle-distance.
“We thought she would be a nice three-year-old filly in the autumn, the spring just came up a bit too quick so we didn’t get too ambitious” Waller said.
“I’d be having a little look at a race like the Vinery with her. I know it’s a bit ambitious, a Group One three-year-old fillies race, but that’s what we bought her for so we’ll set these horses for these races.
“If she can get 2000m I think she will have no problem winning a nice race.”
Subpoenaed has a distinctive high galloping action, which Waller expects will settle as she is stepped up in trip.
“I think the further she gets, the better she will find her action and she’ll stay,” Waller said.
Berry was equally impressed by Subpoenaed’s return and feels she will have no problem running a mile and further.
“She is one of those fillies, like a Libertini, and they ooze a bit of class,” Berry said.
“When she quickened up and put them away, she got a bit tired late but she was entitled to as they had walked early and she needed to sprint very quickly.
“From her being in a position where it was going to be tricky, then a few strides later I was three-wide and had them covered.
“It is very important she can quicken so well to get her out of trouble in those situations.”
Subpoenaed gave Waller a race-to-race double after Romani Girl (NZ) (Reliable Man) narrowly prevailed in the 50 Years ATC Members Recognition Handicap (1500m).
Rounding out a kiwi-bred treble at Randwick was Greenspan (NZ) (Reliable Man) who won the TAB Highway Plate (1500m) earlier in the day.
