Breaking his maiden last time out when capturing the VRC Derby Preview (1800m) at Flemington, the Rory Hunter trained Autumn Mystery put himself into the $2m Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m) picture with a strong win in the Group 2 MRC Sportsbet Classic (2000m) on Caulfield Cup day.
In the small field of eight runners, five were under double figure odds with the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr trained Engine Of War (NZ) jumping the favourite, having gone down narrowly at his prior start to Autumn Mystery in the Derby Preview.
Outsider Fabulous Fiano took up the running with Engine Of War in second while Autumn Mystery sat just behind in the leading duo in third, getting a lovely run on the rail.
Under a steady tempo, Fabulous Fiano maintained his lead with the runs starting to come 800m from home as Deal Done Fast put some pace into the race and came around the outside to challenge the leaders.
With runs starting to come, Autumn Mystery was left a little flat footed and drifted back to third last, to the inside of leading contender Meiwa who had bided his time towards the tail throughout.
When the home turn was reached there was a line of four with Ciaron Maher’s Amazake taking the lead before Autumn Mystery darted back towards the inside as Miewa was angling for a run towards the outside.
Under a strong ride from Blake Shinn, Autumn Mystery proved too strong, winning by three-quarters of a length from Miewa with Amazake holding on for third.
“It’s massive, this horse is a star,” enthused trainer Rory Hunter. “He's still six months away from being the best of him, it's just incredible.”
“To do it with such a supportive family. They've been so loyal to me along the way and stuck with me. I can't thank them enough.”
“We've got ten in work, but we've got the capacity to have 20 if we want, the more horses the merrier, keep them coming.”
“These moments don't come along very often, and to be here and share with my family and such a loyal bunch of owners and the staff around us, it's just amazing.”
Quizzed if the Derby is likely to be his next start, Hunter was happy to head that way as long as all was well with his horse.
“At this stage, but we'll just see how he pulls off over the next couple of days, the horse is more important than anything but it’s sensational.”
“It’d be a boyhood dream, that’s for sure.”
Adding that Shinn’s experience in the saddle helped ease his nerves during the run.
“He’s (Shinn) tasted success of a Group One 50 times or more, so you can't doubt his experience.”
Shinn was overjoyed to win for the small stable.
“Absolutely, this is what dreams are made of, it honestly gives me so much satisfaction to achieve a result like this for Rory, his family and the owners, he’s a lovely guy, small team, he’s competing at the carnival and winning a black type race at Caulfield.”
“It gives me a real big buzz, full credit to Rory, he’s prepped him up lovely, had a break between runs, up to 2000 and he’s managed the horse impeccably well, thoroughly deserved win today.”
“I was really happy from the jump, he jumped a lot better today, he was a little bit keen through the first 400 (metres) with the break between runs but I got him to switch off from the 1200, but then the pressure came on early.
“I was happy following Mark Zahra but he wasn’t going anywhere approaching the turn and I had to look for another opportunity. Fortunately enough the horse was nimble enough to dart back to the inside, the run came and he did the rest. “
“It was a great win, he ran the 2000 out and bring on the Derby.”
Taking his record to two wins and four placed efforts from nine starts and $259,185 in earnings, the Gilgai Farm bred gelding was sold through their draft at the Inglis Premier yearling sale where he was secured by owners Nick and Denise Thompson for just $15,000.
The 3yo is the third winner and first at black type level from three to races from Group 3 placed Sebring mare Stop Making Sense, a grand-daughter of stakes-winner Starcent from the family of Group 1 winners I Wish I Win and Savy Yong Blonk.
Stop Making Sense has foaled colts by Brazen Beau, Yes Yes Yes and just a month ago, her most recent foal, another colt this time by Blue Gum Farm's Flying Artie.
Autumn Mystery became the 10th stakes winner for his Arrowfield Stud based The Autumn Sun (Redoute's Choice), who has had a tremendous season so far highlighted by two recent Group 1 winners and is standing at a fee of $66,000 (inc. GST) this season.
