The Autumn Sun narrowly winning the Golden Rose (Image: ATC)
22 September 2018
The Autumn Sun is now the commanding favourite for the Caulfield Guineas after a fast-finishing win in the Group 1 Golden Rose at Rosehill Gardens.
But connections of the dual Group 1 winner will need to find a new jockey as Kerrin McEvoy is required to partner Redzel in The Everest in Sydney on October 13, the same day as the Caulfield Guineas.
The Autumn Sun, who won the G1 J.J. Atkins Stakes in Brisbane as a two-year-old, settled last and surged down the middle of the track to beat stablemate Zousain by a short neck, with Graff a further three-quarters of a length away in third.
“He’s a very good horse, as you saw,” said winning trainer Chris Waller.
“When the draw came out he was 11 of 11 so it wasn’t going to be easy but I’d rather him there because I know how good he is and for him to finish off over the top of a good field it was pretty special.
“I thought the stablemate (Zousain) was home, he looked every bit of his dad Zoustar surging to the front in the same race but I think he might have been beaten by a pretty special one.”
Sportsbet.com.au elevated The Autumn Sun to as short as $3.20 for the Caulfield Guineas following the victory, with Leonardo Da Hinchi and Brutal on the second line of betting at $8.
“He is a Derby horse and the owners are hellbent on winning a Derby so that obviously comes first and foremost,” Waller said.
“His value, however, has fortunately skyrocketed again today. He’ll have a price tag now and maybe he can tick the box of winning a Derby as well.
“I’ll be pushing not to rush him to the spring Derby because it’s so quick, it’s a long way for a young horse. So we’ll see who gets a good say, the owner or the trainer.”
McEvoy was very patient on The Autumn Sun and believes the horse will only continue to improve as he steps up in distance.
“He’s a special colt. He’s taken all before him up in Brisbane and was desperately unlucky last start first-up but well played to Chris and the team – they put blinkers on him today,” he said.
“He had to do it all, he was still last at the 300m but what a powerful engine he’s got. To do that in what I really think is below his best trip shows how classy he is.
“You can argue that some of those (rivals) are six- or seven-furlong colts at their best trip, where we really feel this horse is a miler-2000m. I think that’s where his future lies but a stunning colt to ride.
“He’s got a great attitude and a great temperament and I’m thrilled to be on his back.”
– Brent Zerafa, Racing.com
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