The Autumn Sun burns rivals with blistering finish to win Randwick Guineas
Chris Waller’s star colt The Autumn Sun produced a Winx-like effort to score a stunning Group 1 win at Royal Randwick. The colt was also compared to former UK superstar Frankel. WATCH THE WIN
If Winx is the world’s best racehorse, then The Autumn Sun might be next best.
Because it took a Winx-like effort from The Autumn Sun to score a sensational win the Group 1 $1 million Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
The Autumn Sun was at least 12 lengths from the leaders at the 600m and still eight lengths behind at the 400m.
Part-owner John Messara admitted he had sold out, trainer Chris Waller closed his eyes, and jockey Kerrin McEvoy knew it would take a champion to win.
The Autumn Sun duly delivered, unleashing an astonishing finishing burst to run down Fundamentalist in the final few bounds.
Messara, his enthusiasm understandable given The Autumn Sun’s improbable win, was moved to say: “He’s Australia’s Frankel!” in reference to the English superstar, who was unbeaten in 14 starts during his stellar career in the UK before becoming a top stallion.
The Autumn Sun is said to be worth a massive $50 million and his reputation is getting bigger with every race.
Waller was asked the obvious question: “Would The Autumn Sun take on Winx this autumn?”
Winx is expected to go to the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 23. The Autumn Sun could go the Ryder or either the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) or the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) the same day.
Waller admitted he would need to discuss race options with the owners of both horses but then made a telling assessment of three-year-old The Autumn Sun.
“The exciting thing about this horse is he’s not mature yet,’’ Waller said.
“That is the next question you have to ask: ‘Do you want an immature horse taking on the world’s best racehorse or for it to be around for a bit longer’.’’
Messara has said previously he did not believe The Autumn Sun could beat Winx and was reluctant to race his superstar colt against the great mare. But even Messara must be having second thoughts after The Autumn Sun’s incredible win.
“I don’t know about taking on Winx, she is one of the greatest we have ever seen,’’ Messara said. “We need to talk to Chris and what is best for the colt.’’
The Autumn Sun will eventually be retired to stand at Messara’s Arrowfield Stud with most expecting the colt to finish his race career this season.
But Waller’s comments that That Autumn Sun is winning despite immaturity suggests the colt will be even better as a four-year-old.
“We will have to think about racing on with The Autumn Sun next season,’’ Messara said.
“This is obviously a very special horse, I can’t believe what he has just done.’’
The Autumn Sun ($1.80) unleashed late to run down the unlucky Fundamentalist ($15) to win by a long head with Nakeeta Jane ($3.70) a length away third.
Even Waller was in disbelief after The Autumn Sun turned imminent defeat into an improbable win.
“If I didn’t train Winx I wouldn’t have believed that performance but she probably desensitised the emotion of these big race wins,’’ Waller said. “Full credit to The Autumn Sun, he’s the next shining star. I can’t tell you how good he is.’’
Champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy admitted he could not find enough superlatives to describe The Autumn Sun’s win.
“What an effort by this colt, he needed to be outstanding today and he was,’’ McEvoy said.
“I was on the back of J Mac (James McDonald, rider of Aramayo) and I thought ‘I’ve got to get into it,’ I was too far back.
“They were putting the race on solidly from the half mile (a800m) and he was in a nice rhythm but at the 600m I thought ‘far out, I’m a long way off them.’
“At the 400m I asked him for a supreme effort and that’s exactly what he gave me. I knew my fellow was going to really finish strong and that’s exactly what he did. He ate up the big spacious Randwick straight and really flew the last bit.
“He is (a superstar) for sure. He’s got a great temperament and it’s going to be great to see him race on - or I’d like to see him race on.”
So would all Australian race fans. With Winx soon to be retired, her heir apparent has been declared – The Autumn Sun.
TAB BETTING REVIEW
ROYAL RANDWICK
RACE ONE
Winter Bride landed some nice bets as she took out a thrilling edition of the Wenona Girl Quality (1200 metres). The Toby Edmonds-trained runner enjoyed a good run just off the speed and Tommy Berry timed his run to perfection, landing the cash narrowly over the fast-finishing Spright and Resin close up. Winter Bride ($5-$6.50) did get out slightly in the betting late as did Spright ($3-$3.60) while there was some specking at the bottom end of the field with In Good Time ($31-$18-$14) and Za Zi Ba ($34-$23-$16). Sweet Scandal ($5) fluctuated between $4.80-$4.20-$5 and had admirers but most of the cash here was with Spright, who was nearly three times as popular as the winner.
BETS: Winter Bride $1,000 @ $5.50, Spright $3,000 @ $3.60
RACE TWO
Prophet’s Thumb ($10-$9) was quietly specked in betting and flew home to score in the Tokyo City Keiba Fireball Stakes (1100 metres). Jockey Jason Collett timed his run to perfection as he weaved through the rails before finding clear running, finishing powerfully to beat the flashing Trope ($23-$12-$10) which had been tried at a price. Jonker, which led, battled on for third at $7.50 just in front of Humma Humma ($7.50-$8-$7.50). Baller, which was easily the most popular runner, got the wobbles late and went $3.20-$3.80 while Jonker, Trope and Sandbar ($4.80-$6.50) were best tried to beat it.
BETS: Sandbar $3,000 @ $6.50, $5,000 e/w @ $6/$2.20, Jonker $2,000 @ $7.50, $1,000 @ $7.50, Trope $1,000 @ $10
RACE THREE
The money was spot on in the Austus Australia Reisling Stakes (1200 metres) after Tenley saluted. Ridden by James McDonald, Tenley was backed from $3.70-$3.50 on the day but was $4.60 earlier in the week. Holding more money than any other runner, Tenley came with a powerful finish down the outside of the track and swept past the majority of the field to beat stablemate Exhilarates ($3.10-$4.20) and the leader Vincere Volare ($5.50-$7.50). The notable firmer in Wayupinthesky ($15-$8.50-$6) failed to figure in the finish.
BETS: Tenley $3,000 @ $3.60, $4,500 @ $3.50, $2,000 @ $3.50, $1,000 @ $3.50, $5,000 @ $3.40, Wayupinthesky $5,000 @ $7.50, $5,000 @ $6.50
RACE FOUR
There was strong money around to suggest that Yes Yes Yes would be winning the UNSW Todman Stakes (1200 metres) and that proved to be the case. Ridden quiet by Blake Shinn, Yes Yes Yes ($4.60-$4.40) came from near last to sweep past the field and beat the well tried leader Bellevue Hill ($15-$6-$4) and Dubious ($5.50-$7.50). Yes Yes Yes, trained by Chris Waller, was the second most popular runner in the race but he still held less than half the money that Time To Reign ($2.90) did. The Silver Slipper winner raced on the fence but failed to quicken in the straight and was beaten a fair way.
BETS: Yes Yes Yes $1,000 @ $4.80, $1,100 @ $4.60, $1,00 @ $4.60 MULTIPLE TIMES, $2,000 @ $4.40, $1,200 @ $4.40, Time To Reign $4,000 $2.90, $4,000 @ $2.60
RACE FIVE
Ball Of Muscle led throughout to repel the challenge of the hot favourite Redzel in the Group Two Hyland Race Colours Challenge Stakes (1000 metres). Rated a treat by Glyn Schofield in front, Ball of Muscle ($11) carried some good each way investments as he dropped Jungle Edge on straightening and then held off Redzel ($1.60) and Viridine ($12). Redzel had sat fourth in the running and was just nosed out, ruining plenty of multis for those that took the $1.60. The Team Snowden runner held 62 per cent of the total investment.
BETS: Ball Of Muscle $500 @ $11, $500 @ $11
RACE SIX
Trapeze Artist defied the betting drift to lead throughout in the Group One Canterbury League Club Stakes (1300 metres). Blake Shinn rated the stallion prospect a treat in front with the pair booting clear midway down the straight to easily hold Shoals ($6-$5) and Prompt Response ($41). Trapeze Artist had been a $2.80 favourite earlier in the week but jumped a $3.90 chance as he lost favouritism to Kementari ($4-$3.40). Kementari went around as the most popular runner with TAB customers and held more than twice as much as Trapeze Artist, while Shoals was next best backed. Pierata ($4-$4.60) held slightly more money than Trapeze Artist.
BETS: Trapeze Artist $22,000 @ $3.20, $34,240 @ $3 (All In bet)
RACE SEVEN
Favourite backers had some nervous moments in the Mostyn Copper Randwick Guineas (1600 metres) but they were rewarded with their faith with a last-stride win. Kerrin McEvoy was forced to sit back near the rear as Miss Fabulass carved out time in front, with the pair some eight lengths off the front turning for home. The Autumn Sun ($1.50-$1.75), a drifter in betting, then began to issue his challenge and unwound a scintillating burst to nail Fundamentalist ($15) right on the line. Nakeeta Jane, which they backed to beat The Autumn Sun, was as much as $6 in the morning and was crunched in to $3.70. She finished in third spot. The Autumn Sun was easily the most popular runner of the day at Randwick and held 77 per cent of the total investment.
BETS: The Autumn Sun $8,500 @ $1.75, $10,000 @ $1.70, $5,000 @ $1.70 TWICE, $4,000 @ $1.70, $10,000 @ $1.60, $8,000 @ $1.60, $42,000 @ $1.55, $10,000 @ $1.55, $8,000 @ $1.55, $5,000 @ $1.55, $20,000 @ $1.50, $30,000 @ $1.10 PLACE, $11,000 @ $1.10 PLACE, Nakeeta Jane $3,000 @ $3.90
RACE EIGHT
Nettoyer landed a good betting move when she swept home to take out the Group Three Teed Up Golf Tours Aspiration Quality (1600 metres). The Wendy Roche-trained runner was $10 on Wednesday and still $8.50 this morning, however, by the time the race rolled around she was crunched into $4.40 favourite. Luvaluva ($8) wound up second in front of Luskintyre Lass ($5). All Too Soon was the most popular runner but was a drifter. She was $4.20 favourite in the morning and went out to $5.50.
BETS: Nettoyer $1,000 e/w @ $6.50/$2.20, $1,000 e/w @ $6/$2, $1,000 @ $5
RACE NINE
Tim Clark and Mick Price took out the final event on the card with Hiyaam. A daughter of High Chaparral, Hiyaam was well backed throughout the day after being $5.50 in the morning. Punters jumped all over the four-year-old which saw a further move from $4.20-$3.60. Such was the support for her that she started favourite. Leading throughout, she beat the fast-finishing Shraaoh ($16) and Emperor’s Way ($10-$4.80) which more than halved its quote from the morning. Jaameh ended up being the most popular runner in front of Emperor’s Way, with Big Duke next in front of Hiyaam.
BETS: Hiyaam $2,000 @ $3.70
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