News

The Autumn Sun stuns in classic Guineas victory

9th Mar 2019

The Autumn Sun confirmed himself Australia’s Champion 3YO elect while Trapeze Artist made it a fourth Group 1 win as Inglis graduates dominated the big races at Randwick today.

The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice x Azmiyna) produced one of the most stunning performances ever seen on an Australian racetrack, coming from near last in a strung-out field to win the Group 1 Randwick Guineas in the last stride.

It prompted part owner, breeder and vendor John Messara – who has raced many champions including The Autumn Sun’s sire Redoute’s Choice - to describe the win as “the best thing I’ve ever seen on a racecourse’’.

“I’d given up, well and truly given up,’’ Messara said.

“I turned around to Jon Freyer mid-race and said to him ‘can’t possibly win from there’.’’

When asked what he thinks now, Messara replied “I think he’s a champion, that’s what I think.’’

Olly Koolman, of part-owner The Hermitage – who purchased The Autumn Sun for $700,000 alongside Guy Mulcaster at the 2017 Australian Easter Yearling Sale – has known for a long time that he had a serious horse on his hands.

“The comments have been positive form the day he was broken in,’’ Koolman said.

“You can hear that a lot but when it keeps on coming with a flow of confidence out of the stable, we’ve felt pretty good from a long way out.

“I think he just stamped himself today. He might have stamped himself before today but any doubters will probably jump on our bandwagon now.’’

The Autumn Sun’s Not A Single Doubt three-quarter brother (ex Azmiyna) is lot 369 at next month’s Easter Yearling Sale, where he will be offered by Arrowfield.

The Easter Sale is at Riverside Stables on April 9 and 10.

To view the catalogue, CLICK HERE.

For Trapeze Artist (Snitzel), it was his fourth Group 1 success following previous wins in a Golden Rose, TJ Smith Stakes and All Aged Stakes.

He will return to Randwick in a month to defend his TJ Smith crown, before likely being retired to stud at the end of the season.

For owner Bert Vieira, who offered Trapeze Artist at the 2016 Easter Yearling Sale, it was an emotional moment.

“This one’s for [wife] Gai, who is still in hospital watching and my daughter is with her, and it’s for [jockey] Tye [Angland], who is upstairs here today,’’ Vieira said.

“Tye gave me my first three Group 1 wins with this horse and I burst into tears when I saw him here today. He’s such a great human being.

“This horse is an absolute warrior. He just keeps coming back prep after prep and keeps winning big races. He’s a star.’’

Meanwhile Nettoyer (Sebring) scored a valuable first Stakes victory when successful in the Group 3 Aspiration Quality at Randwick.

Trained by Wendy Roche, Nettoyer is a confirmed entry for The Chairman’s Sale, which will be held at Riverside Stables on the evening of Friday May 3.

The catalogue will available in coming weeks.

Nettoyer was bought by John Crowley at the 2015 Easter Sale - where she was offered by Riversdale - before being pinhooked through the Inglis Ready2Race Sale.

At Flemington, Anjana (Sepoy) returned to the winners’ stall with a dominant first-up victory in the Listed Incognitus Stakes.

Anjana was having her first run since Cox Plate Day and first run for the Mick Price stable and proved she was back to her best.

It was her fourth win from eight starts.

Anjana is a $34,000 Classic Yearling Sale buy for Roll The Dice Racing and Darren Weir, from Vieira Group.

FURTHER EASTER PEDIGREE UPDATES FROM TODAY’S STAKES RACING

*Lot 274 is a Sebring half brother to SUNLIGHT (ex Solar Charged), which won the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington. He is being offered by Widden Stud.

*Lot 307 is a Medaglia d’Oro half brother (ex The Broken Shore) to SHOALS, which finished second in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick. He is being offered by Arrowfield.

*Lot 177 is a Fastnet Rock half sister (ex Personify) to TROPE, which finished second in the Listed Fireball Stakes at Randwick. She is being offered by Cressfield.

*Lot 435 is a Vancouver half brother (ex Elimbari) to VINCERE VOLARE, which finished third in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes at Randwick. He is being offered by Ascot Park.