The Autumn Sun’s owner John Messara doesn’t want to shoot ‘Bambi’ Winx in the Cox Plate
PRINCIPAL owner of The Autumn Sun, John Messara, is lukewarm about asking his three-year-old colt to try and thwart Winx’s attempt an unprecedented fourth Cox Plate.
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THE mighty mare Winx against superstar colt The Autumn Sun in the Cox Plate would be a race for the ages.
But John Messara, controlling owner of The Autumn Sun, is lukewarm about asking his three-year-old colt to try and thwart Winx’s attempt an unprecedented fourth Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in two weeks.
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“I don’t want to be the one that shot Bambi — I would have to leave town,’’ Messara said.
“So, even if he could beat her, I don’t really want to beat her.’’
The Autumn Sun emerged as a genuine Cox Plate contender after his stunning Caulfield Guineas win last Saturday.
Despite travelling three-wide without cover, The Autumn Sun powered to the front at the top of the straight and streaked clear, winning easing down by nearly five lengths.
Messara’s competitive nature wants the showdown between The Autumn Sun and Winx but he is mindful of protecting his colt’s stud value which is estimated now to be worth $50 million.
The owner also recognises The Autumn Sun is still very immature and inexperienced.
His colt weighs only 480kg and has had just six career starts compared to champion Winx, the winner of her last 28 races in succession and acknowledged as the world’s best racehorse.
And as a passionate advocate of the racing industry, Messara doesn’t want the Winx fairytale to end with the champion mare chasing a historic fourth Cox Plate on October 27.
To further complicate the issue for Messara and his other part-owners, The Autumn Sun and Winx are trained by Chris Waller.
“Chris is very fair about this and he said if you want to go to the Cox Plate that is fine, let them run on their merits and whatever happens, happens,’’ Messara said. “It is a difficult situation and we will brew on it for the next day or two but I will be guided by Chris’ advice.
“Chris and I made a truce not to discuss the issue until after the weekend.
“He told me the horse has pulled up well and we will let things settle then talk (Monday).’’
With the doubt on The Autumn Sun’s race program, TAB Fixed Odds decided to take the colt out of their Cox Plate betting markets on Sunday.
“We have erred on the side of caution to protect the punters,’’ TAB spokesman Glenn Munsie said.
“But we will immediately reinstate The Autumn Sun into the Cox Plate markets if we get clarification he is heading that way.’’
If there is confirmation The Autumn Sun is Cox Plate-bound, the colt will be reinstated on the second line of betting at $11, with Caulfield Stakes winner Benbatl behind $1.25 favourite Winx.
YUCATAN CAPTURES EVERYONE’S ATTENTION
THE Autumn Sun had a challenger for run of the day at the Caulfield meeting with Yucatan’s incredible Herbert Power Stakes effort.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained, Lloyd Williams-owned Yucatan was three wide for most of the 2400m staying test which was run at a brutal pace with the winner clocking 2min26.45sec.
Jockey James McDonald, who also won on The Autumn Sun, made a mid-race move to get Yucatan closer to the lead although still trapped wide without cover.
Yucatan then unleashed a devastating burst of acceleration on the home turn, sprinting a 400m sectional between the 600m and 200m in a flying 22.78sec as he opened up a massive margin of nearly eight lengths on his chasing rivals before being shut down by his rider and almost walking over the line a comfortable winner.
If Yucatan backs up in the Caulfield Cup on Saturday, he is the horse to beat on this outstanding win.