Chris Waller received a payoff for choosing a cautious strategy with Pinito at the beginning of the autumn campaign, even though he considered bolder options.

The Godolphin four-year-old achieved her initial success under the top trainer during Saturday’s Group 3 Aspiration Quality (1600m) at Randwick, as her team opted out of stepping up to Group 1 level in next week’s Coolmore Classic (1500m).

“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.

Having finished second in last winter’s Queensland Oaks (2200m), Pinito signalled her potential with a fast-finishing fourth behind Cinsault in the Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) on February 21 upon resumption, making Saturday’s Randwick triumph her debut Group-level win.

Waller noted that the mare needed adjustment time after transferring from James Cummings but has now hit her stride, with the Epona Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill in two weeks emerging as a likely subsequent assignment.

“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.”

Under jockey James McDonald, Pinito ($3.40 fav) delivered a powerful late charge from rearward position to pip Starphistocated ($41) by half a length, while Polymnia ($10) was the next best a further 1-1/4 lengths behind.

McDonald drew reassurance from the mare’s initial appearance back and recognised the need to time her effort precisely.

“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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