Racing
Autumn Boy shines in spring at Caulfield
Autumn Boy has provided trainer Chris Waller with a fourth win in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.
From the time Autumn Boy entered the stables of champion trainer Chris Waller the colt appealed as a future Group 1 winner.
That big day arrived on Saturday when Autumn Boy emulated his sire The Autumn Sun, also prepared by Waller, to win the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) and in the process become the first son of his sire to win at the highest level.
Providing Waller and jockey Damian Lane with back-to-back wins in the Guineas after Private Life's win last year, Autumn Boy ($4.20) scored a three-quarter length win from Planet Red ($31) with Observer ($21) a further 1-¾ lengths away third.
"We're proud of all the horses that come through the stable, but when we've got champions like The Autumn Sun and we've got sons and daughters, it's pretty special," Waller said.
"Last week, Autumn Glow, now it's a super colt with Autumn Boy.
"It's pretty special."
Waller said the Caulfield Guineas had become a long-range goal for Autumn Boy after those close to the stable identified his talent early.
Autumn Boy didn't make his debut until late into his two-year-old year, winning on debut at Canterbury before the colt had a trip away to Brisbane to win the Listed Tatts Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm.
The colt returned to Sydney to finish second in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty Stakes at Rosehill before what looked a disappointing performance, on paper, in the Group 1 Golden Rose, last start.
While some lost faith, importantly Waller did not and was confident in Autumn Boy's ability to take out Saturday's Group 1 contest.
"It was a track record time," Waller said of the Golden Rose.
"Full credit to the winner (stablemate Beiwacht), he led them up and won. The backmarkers just didn't quite get into the race because we were just running so quick.
"We didn't lose faith. The sectional timings suggested he actually ran quite well and it was his first time in the big dance or a big-time race.
"He came through the run well and he came down here with plenty of time.
"We brought him to Caulfield, we ticked all the boxes, and everything suggested he was ready to run a big race."
Autumn Boy along with fellow Caulfield Guineas contenders Rivellino, Wodeton and Nepotism remain in contention for the Group 1 Cox Plate. (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 25.
Waller said he was unsure whether Autumn Boy would head to the Group 1 Cox Plate after having just his fifth start on Saturday.
"I don't normally because they're still babies," Waller said.
"It'll be unlikely for us, but we'll see what comes out next week as you've got the luxury of just sitting tight.
"He's not overly raced so you can do it, but we'll have to see how good Via Sistina's going."
Lane said Autumn Boy was an easy colt to deal with and possesses a good turn of foot.
"He's a beautiful colt that just takes everything in his stride," Lane said.
"He's very easy to deal with and has a great turn of foot when needed. You need that to win these big races, and when he joined in, he really joined in."
Check out our FREE full form, ratings for meetings in nine countries each and every day.