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| Staff Writer |
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The mare Vienna Princess, who has shown tremendous improvement, virtually secured her place in the A$10 million Golden Eagle after an impressive win in a significant lead-up race at Randwick.
The Silver Eagle race on Saturday saw Vienna Princess, who is trained by Chris Waller, emerge victorious. Although the 4YO took some time to find her form, she had already impressed with a first-up win at Rosehill last month.
Waller was keen to see her continue to perform well in the race, and Vienna Princess didn't disappoint, winning by a length. Strait Acer was a surprise runner-up, with Pericles finishing third, half a neck behind.
"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 has seen a significant drop in betting odds for the Golden Eagle at her home track of Rosehill in three weeks, now sitting at A$15 after previously being priced at A$51.
The first three horses to cross the finish line in the Silver Eagle are automatically entered into the Golden Eagle without having to go through a ballot. Kerrin Mcevoy, the jockey who rode Vienna Princess to victory in the Silver Eagle, also won the Reginald Allen Quality earlier in the day on Arctic Glamour. Mcevoy praised Vienna Princess, calling her a true 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."
Legarto, the winner of the Australian Guineas, and Obamburumai from Japan are currently seen as the frontrunners for the Golden Eagle.