Race favourite The Autumn Sun is ready to rise above his rivals when he steps back up to 1600m in the Group 1 $2m Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas at Caulfield on Saturday.
The 1600m of the 2018 Caulfield Guineas at Caulfield will suit The Autumn Sun, above. Photo by Steve Hart.
The Autumn Sun is already a Group 1 winner over 1600m at the end of his two year old season after producing his electrifying finish to claim victory in the Group 1 $600,000 Jaguar Land Rover J.J. Atkins Plate at Doomben during the 2018 Brisbane Winter Carnival.
The Redoute’s Choice colt became a two time Group 1 winner with a similar performance to win the $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on September 22 and trainer Chris Waller said the three year old was ready to step back to the 1600m in the Caulfield Guineas.
“I am very excited about his future and the mile should suit on Saturday,” Waller said.
“He has done everything right since his impressive win in the Golden Rose.”
“He is all class and this is on and off the track, he has a great temperament and he is very athletic. He is certainly no fuss to have around and an absolute pleasure to be working with.”
The Autumn Sun will be having his first look at Caulfield under race conditions but Waller said the colt handled the track well when he galloped there on Tuesday morning.
“He got around Caulfield very well on Tuesday morning,” Waller said.
Sydney based jockey James McDonald will replace regular rider Kerrin McEvoy who has elected to stay in Sydney and ride Redzel in the $13m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick.
The Autumn Sun has drawn nicely at barrier five in the fourteen horse field and Waller said that gate would suit the colt’s racing style perfectly.
“Barrier five compliments a lot of positives in his favour,” Waller said.
Betting for the Caulfield Guineas at Ladbrokes.com.au has The Autumn Sun in the red at the top of the market order at $1.90, well ahead of his nearest rival Native Soldier at $6.50.
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