Autumn Mystery's autumn plans target South Australian Derby
The staying three-year-old Autumn Mystery kicks off his bid for the South Australian Derby taking on more experienced competitors at Caulfield.
Having most recently been eighth across the line in the Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington during November, Autumn Mystery now contests the benchmark 84 Lamaro's Hotel Handicap (1400m) this Saturday.
Rory Hunter, the trainer, has outlined three key lead-up races for Autumn Mystery building toward the South Australian Derby (2500m) on May 2 at Morphettville.
Next after Saturday will be the Alister Clark Stakes (2000m) on March 21 at Caulfield, then the Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on April 4, with the Derby arriving four weeks on.
The trainer mentioned this itinerary offers some leeway in case plans need adjustment.
"The South Australian Derby will be his grand final this prep and hopefully we can go into that fourth run in," Hunter said.
"He'll go to the Alister Clark Stakes in a month's time after this and then maybe the Easter Cup at Caulfield then hopefully into the South Australian Derby.
"I think the lead-up race over there, the Chairman's, comes up a bit short only seven days before the Derby and if anything goes wrong, you're a bit short on time with them, so we'd prefer to give him that two or three weeks into it.
"Saturday's race, I think, it's a good stepping stone for him. He comes in with a lightweight being a three-year-old.
"I'm hoping he's making some late ground and we'll be happy."
For the South Australian Derby, Hunter seeks a kinder barrier draw.
In the Victoria Derby, despite Blake Shinn's ride from a wide gate that forced Autumn Mystery to settle last, the three-year-old closed powerfully to eighth.
"Unfortunately, he drew a wide barrier and there wasn't much we could do," Hunter said.
"Blake's hands were tied and we had to go back and ride him cold and finish off the best he could, but he still ran really well.
"His sectionals were the quickest of the race, last 600, 400 and 200 (metres) and I think he's got a lot of improvement still to come this time around."
Head to leading online bookmakers for competitive betting markets on Saturday's Lamaro's Hotel Handicap.
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