History was achieved at Rosehill on Saturday as Chirs Waller’s 3yo colt Autumn Boy (The Autumn Sun) recorded his second elite level victory, winning the G1 ATC Rosehill Guineas (2000m), in the process giving Champion jockey James McDonald his 130th G1 success!
Coming off a second in the G1 ATC Randwick Guineas (1600m), many saw it as a match race between Waller’s G1 Caulfield Guineas winner and Godolphin’s last start G1 Australian Guineas winner Observer who started the top two in the betting.
As the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman trained outsider Bingi (Snitzel) went forward to take up the running, jockey Craig Williams had Observer travelling in second position with Autumn Boy settling down in fifth of the eight runners.
With Ben Melham and Bingi controlling the race out in front, the pair led the field into the home turn, and while Observer was not showing the dash that we'd seen of late in Melbourne, McDonald and Autumn Boy sailed past, pulling clear to win by just shy of two lengths.
Bjorn Baker’s Street Boss colt Green Spaces worked home to finished second, three-parts of a length ahead of Observer, giving Godolphin both the minor placegetters.
Stepping up Autumn Boy over the 2000m for the first time, Waller indicated it was always something they wanted to try.
“Yeah, it is for sure,” said Waller. “We wanted to try that.”
“Great owners, The Ritchies. I think the most disappointing thing last preparation, when I mentioned that he may have a short racing career, because he's such a wonderful colt.”
“They said, 'Oh, we're not in a rush to retire him, we want to keep them racing.' So that's great. And it's good to see these colts race on and I'm sure he will.
“So yeah, we ticked the box for 2000 metres. His dad won it. He's won it. And yeah, we'll pick out some nice races in the spring for him.”
Having won the previous G1 on the card, before creating history with the Rosehill Guineas winer, McDonald was clearly overjoyed by the win.
“It’s lovely, but it’s a testament to the horses that I ride because they are phenomenal,” said McDonald. “There’s no two ways about it, that I do ride the best horses and most favourites each race and I’m blessed to have that opportunity.”
“To get to a mark like this, it’s obviously special. Especially with how I look up to Damien Oliver.”
“When I was growing up as a ten-year-old kid, he was riding Melbourne Cup winners. One that comes to mind is Media Puzzle when he went through so much adversity and still had the vivacity to come out on top. He’s a phenomenal rider.”
“I’m just blessed with a great family and great support crew with Mark Guest and good family friends. John O’Shea, who is like a father figure to me. He got me over and he gave me so many chances even when I wasn’t riding well. Many trainers throughout Australia and New Zealand as well.”
“I’m just humbled by the support. To be honest, I flicked social media off this week and just focused on my rides.”
Taking his overall record to four wins, twice at G1 level, and three placed efforts from just eight starts with earnings of $2,673,500, the Richard Rutherford bred colt was a $200,000 purchase for Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock from the Amarina Farm draft at the Magic Millions yearling sale.
The first leg of a G1 race to race double for Arrowfield Stud’s The Autumn Sun, Autumn Boy is the best of two winners out of the Savabeel mare Rosegarden (NZ) from the extended family of G1 winner and G1 sire Shamexpress (O’Reilly).
Rosegarden has a 2yo colt by Yarraman Park’s Hellbent, foaled filly by the very same sire in the Spring, and it was not surprise that the mare was then covered by The Autumn Sun.
Emulating his sire in with the Guineas, Autumn Boy is one of 21 stakes performers for his Arrowfield Stud based The Autumn Sun (Redoute's Choice) who will be represented by ten lots at the Inglis Easter yearling sale, which commences on Sunday, March 29.
