Autumn Boy capped off an amazing debut season with a popular victory in the Group1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield Racecourse. This success marks him out as the first foal of the champion sire, The Autumn Sun. He has now helped train a win at the top level of Australian horse racing. Autumn Boy went on to win the title with jockey Damian Lane riding. This triumph does much to lay the foundation for a renewed partnership between trainer Chris Waller and Lane, who won consecutive renewals of this prestigious event together.
Autumn Boy dashed under the finish wire, three-quarters of a length in front of Planet Red. 80-1 Planet Red pulled a shocker one and all at $31! Observer made a valiant attempt, running third while seven eighths of a mile behind the winner. His price for the Caulfield Guineas was $4.20 at the time.
Owner-trainer Waller had worked subtly Autumn Boy for this race. After a string of stellar performances earlier that season, he wanted to put special emphasis on the horse’s potential. Even though he debuted late in his two-year-old year, Autumn Boy certainly made his stamp known with a quick winning splash at Canterbury. He went on to win the Listed Tatts Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm in Brisbane. He never finished further back than second in four other starts, including a second in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty Stakes at Rosehill.
Lane praised Autumn Boy’s focus and skill during the race, noting how coolheaded the young stallion was under pressure.
“He’s a beautiful colt that just takes everything in his stride.” – Damian Lane
To highlight the horse’s agility and speed at critical moments, like all great horses, the jockey 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.” – Damian Lane
Autumn Boy’s last start was a close-up fifth in the Group 1 Golden Rose, in which he established the 1400m course record time. He recently won the Caulfield Guineas, so he is now a major contention for next week’s Group 1 Cox Plate. In doing so, he will face some stiff competition.
Waller teased what’s next for Autumn Boy. He admitted a lot of uncertainty remains about the horse’s future path.
“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.” – Chris Waller
