The Golden Eagle features in the spring plans for exciting filly Rubisaki who has capped an unbeaten three-year-old season with another stakes victory at Randwick.
The Patrick Payne-trained Rubisaki made it six-straight wins this season in Saturday's Group Three JHB Carr Stakes (1400m) but was forced to dig deep.
In her final start before going for a spell, Rubisaki ($1.85) settled third last under Nash Rawiller after a slow getaway and tracked Akari into the home straight before sprinting to the front at the 100m.
Subpoenaed ($12) charged home from last but Rubisaki prevailed by a half-neck with St Covet's Spirit ($31) edging out Akari for third, another three quarters of a length away.
Rubisaki took her overall record to eight wins and two seconds from 10 career starts, while her wins this season include a Group Two and two Group Threes.
Given some of the protocols in place regarding travel during the coronavirus pandemic, Goulburn trainer John Bateman has looked after Rubisaki for Victorian-based Payne since just before her PJ Bell win at Randwick on April 4, with Bateman sending him regular video updates.
While Payne, who watched from interstate, said the victory was not as impressive as Rubisaki's previous win he was happy to see her win again and said her main spring aims would be the Silver Eagle and Golden Eagle.
“I was glad to see that winning post,” Payne said.
“But when you travel with horses, I often find their first runs are their best and then it is really hard for them to go again
“I am very grateful to John Bateman who has looked after Rubisaki for us at Goulburn.
“I said to him a few times this week that we don't have to run Rubisaki as she has already done her job.
“I was relying on John's judgment and he said that filly was going well and there was no reason not to run her.”
Rawiller said it was a great effort after jumping awkwardly.
“When Subpoenaed really came at her I thought, ‘we've got nothing left here'. But that's why she's won her last six, she just found and it was a really good effort,” Rawiller said.