Waller ups Autumn Boy to mile and half for Rosehill Guineas Cox Plate trial
To gauge Autumn Boy’s prospects as a Cox Plate contender come spring, Chris Waller is stretching the colt to 2000 metres for the debut time in the Rosehill Guineas.
Saturday’s Golden Slipper meeting featured consideration of the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) for the youngster, yet despite the conflict with unblemished barnmate Autumn Glow, Waller insisted the Guineas choice avoids her deliberately.
"We could have gone the shorter option for him and run into Autumn Glow in a George Ryder and Doncaster, and we could still go to a Doncaster," Waller said.
"But I want to know whether he is a solid, 2000-metre horse to see whether he's in a Cox Plate when he comes back in the spring."
Autumn Boy, triumphant in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas over 1600 metres, recorded a third behind Ninja in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) and was narrowly beaten by promising Sheza Alibi in the Randwick Guineas (1600m) in his two preparation efforts.
Peter Moody, co-trainer, has locked in the Doncaster Mile (1600m) for the filly, removing Sheza Alibi as an obstacle at Rosehill, with Waller forecasting a peak performance from Autumn Boy post his two runs.
"He ran into a pretty smart one last week, but he will be ready to peak as well third-up," he said.
No blinkers were used on Autumn Boy this time around, unlike last preparation, and Waller confirmed they stay off for the weekend.
Autumn Boy aims to mirror sire The Autumn Sun, who won the 2018 Caulfield Guineas and followed up with the Rosehill Guineas next year.
Stable companion Providence, who was seventh in the Randwick Guineas, bypasses the Group 1 on Saturday for the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Randwick April 4 and Frank Packer Plate (2000m) a fortnight hence, per Waller.
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