Several of the big Sydney stables dispatched runners south on Thursday for the $200,000 Listed Albury Gold Cup (2000m) and it was Chris Waller who got the cash with tough four year-old gelding Matusalem.
Second in the Listed Canberra Cup two starts back, Matusalem worked through his grades last preparation before stepping up in class to tackle Black Type races this year.
Ridden by Reece Jones, he found the line with determination to score a half length win taking his overall record to six wins and four placings from 23 starts with prizemoney topping $620,000.
A $500,000 Magic Millions purchase from Arrowfield Stud for Chris Waller Racing/Mulcaster Bloodstock, Matusalem is a horse with a big pedigree being a sibling to dual Group I winner Kenedna and Group II winning sire Spill the Beans. He is the third stakes-winner among nine winners from 10 foals to race from Miss Dodwell, a winning half-sister to Group II winner Yammer and stakes-winner Blab, the dam of Group I winner Speak Fondly.
Arrowfield Stud offered the yearling full sister to Matusalem at Inglis Easter this year and she was bought by Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock / ARJB Racing for $400,000.
Matusalem is the seventh stakes-winner for The Autumn Sun, whose fee has been set at $66,000 for 2025.
