Autumn Mystery on Derby mission

MELBOURNE - Big celebrations should not be expected from the team behind Autumn Mystery if the three-year-old wins the Victoria Derby at Flemington on Nov 1.

“I’d be happy to go to the pub for a parma and a pot of beer, that would do me,” said Autumn Mystery’s trainer Rory Hunter.

“You do have to dream, and he’ll represent the stable really well on Saturday.”

Autumn Mystery has come a long way in recent times and will be shooting for a winning hat-trick when he runs in the Group 1 staying test over 2,500m for three-year-olds on Nov 1.

As a two-year-old, the son of The Autumn Sun lined up in Victoria’s most prestigious juvenile race, the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1,200m) at Caulfield, running ninth to Devil Night, and 10 months later, he is stepping up to 2,500m for the first time.

In Autumn Mystery’s favour, he is the most experienced galloper in Saturday’s field of 20 which includes four emergencies, facing the starter for the 10th time where he will jump from gate 15 if the emergencies do not gain a start.

An A$15,000 (S$12,800m) yearling purchase, Autumn Mystery showed promise from Day 1, but Hunter was always of the opinion the gelding would be a three-year-old and even better horse in the autumn.

But after his last run as a two-year-old, Hunter began mapping out a Derby campaign.

Frustrated at some narrow defeats, Hunter said the most pleasing thing this campaign has been seeing Autumn Mystery finally posting a win.

That came at Flemington over 1,800m in the Victoria Derby Preview on Sept 21 before he rose to 2,000m and overcame a chequered passage in the straight to score in the Sportsbet Classic (2,000m) at Caulfield on Oct 18.

“We always knew he had a ton of ability, but he was just getting a bit frustrating,” added Hunter.

“That win at Flemington brought out some confidence in him and in his last win at Caulfield and he’s really thrived since.

“He’s had a nice couple of weeks between runs now.

“He’s bounced out of his last run really well, he’s eaten up and his work has been really good since, so we’re really happy with him heading into the Derby on Saturday.”

Blake Shinn has been aboard Autumn Mystery in his last two starts that have resulted in victories, but the trainer concedes the wide draw is a concern.

He said he will not be tying Shinn down with any instructions.

“A jockey of Blake’s experience, you don’t have to give them any instructions,” he said.

“He’s ridden at that level numerous times and he’s got the experience on his side. He’s one of the smartest decision-makers out there among the jockeys.

“He’s been a bargain buy for the owners. I honestly thought on his pedigree he would be a A$200,000 or A$300,000 horse, a bit outside our price budget.

“He’s been fantastic for the owners. He owes them nothing and he’s going to take them on a ride.

“Whatever he does on Saturday, in 12 months’ time, they’ve got a lot of fun times in front of them.”

RACING AND SPORTS