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By Ray Hickson

If it’s looking like a dry track on Golden Eagle day it’s very likely trainers Peter and Paul Snowden will give the talented Aim his shot at the $7.5 million prize after a dramatic win at Randwick on Saturday.

There’s still a distance doubt in co-trainer Paul Snowden’s mind given the gelding hasn’t fired beyond 1400m in his two attempts to date but it’s now on the radar after the $500,000 Silver Eagle (1300m).

Aim ($31), along with runner-up Ellsberg ($4.40) and third placed Count De Rupee ($8.50), is exempt from ballot in the 1500m race exclusively for four-year-olds at Rosehill on October 30.

“We’re getting into unchartered territory with him as far as the distance goes,’’ Snowden said.

“But I suppose we have to really think about it. He’s in the race, he’s qualified now and it’s certainly going to be interesting.”

The Silver Eagle was Aim’s first start since the end of May and his position trailing three and four wide from the 600m turned into an advantage when there was a scrimmage on the home turn and several horses, including the placegetters, were speared off the track.

Aim wins the Silver Eagle at Randwick

Snowden said he was a little concerned about kicking off over the extended sprint trip.

Perhaps his win is a sign that Aim is ready to stretch himself out to the Golden Eagle distance.

“He has certainly prepped up lovely this horse, he looked good in the skin and 1300m first-up was always going to be an ask for him but Hughie rode him outstanding,’’ he said.

“You’ve got to wait for the right conditions, he’s no good on soft ground. We saw what he did in the Magic Millions three-year-old last year, he just blew them away.

“When he can get those conditions on the day he is certainly right up there with anything he races against.”

Bowman conceded circumstances went Aim’s way in the Silver Eagle but he was still good enough to stick his head out when it counted.

“We all know what he is capable of, he just needs things to go his way a little bit and he can deliver,’’ he said.

“He’s a quality horse, we’ve seen him do it at this level and better before. I was just delighted with the performance he gave me.”

The win saw Aim firm into $15 with TAB in the Golden Eagle market, the same price as Count De Rupee, while Ellsberg is an $11 chance.

All the results and replays from Saturday's Randwick meeting