Opting for a restrained autumn initiation with Pinito paid dividends for Chris Waller, who nonetheless mulled over more daring prospects.

Godolphin’s four-year-old mare grabbed her first win serving the elite trainer in Saturday’s Group 3 Aspiration Quality (1600m) at Randwick, with her connections shunning Group 1 action in the Coolmore Classic (1500m) scheduled for next week.

“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.

Last winter’s Queensland Oaks (2200m) runner-up, Pinito wrote her own script by storming home fourth to Cinsault in the Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) on February 21 fresh, culminating in her inaugural Group victory at Randwick on Saturday.

Waller indicated the mare took time to acclimatise after joining from James Cummings yet has located form, eyeing the Epona Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill in two weeks as ideal progression.

“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.”

Pinito ($3.40 fav), partnered by James McDonald, unleashed from the pack to collar Starphistocated ($41) on the line by half a length, Polymnia ($10) filling third a further 1-1/4 lengths back.

Confidence stemmed from her fresh run for McDonald, who prioritised perfect timing.

“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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