War Eternal made the most of his fitness edge at Rosehill, grinding out a determined win in the Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m), but the real takeaways for the spring may have come from the two Chris Waller-trained stayers chasing him home.
The seven-year-old relished the rain-affected surface to claim his fifth career victory on Saturday, and connections are open to testing him in stakes company while he continues to thrive.
“Jason (Collett) gave him a peach of a ride. He needed the runs to appear when they did, but once they came, he took his chance and finished strongly,” said Bjorn Baker’s racing manager Luke Hilton.
“At seven, he’s right at his peak. There could be a softer Listed race around for him while he’s going so well, particularly with some give in the tracks.”
Hilton was deputising for Baker, who is currently in France but keeping close watch on his horses. “He said he was going to get up to see them race, so hopefully this gives him something to smile about,” Hilton said.
War Eternal held off the fast-finishing Birdman by a half-neck, with stablemate Land Legend – last year’s Metropolitan winner – a further 1-¼ lengths away in third. Birdman was resuming for the first time since contesting the Sydney Cup, while Land Legend was aiming to bounce back from a disappointing autumn following his Caulfield Cup placing last spring.
Waller was encouraged by both horses. “It was pleasing to see Land Legend settle nicely mid-race. He’s matured and we’ll keep him to weight-for-age paths now with his high rating. Likely the Chelmsford Stakes next, then something around 2000m like the Turnbull Stakes,” Waller said.
As for Birdman, jockey James McDonald felt the ground blunted his finish. “James said he wasn’t entirely happy in the conditions, so it was a strong first-up performance,” Waller noted. “He looks a genuine Metropolitan type.”