Autumn Boy gets blinkers for Doncaster Mile rematch with Sheza Alibi
Trainer Chris Waller will refit blinkers on Autumn Boy ahead of his Doncaster Mile encounter with Sheza Alibi, the Randwick Guineas champion, in pursuit of an important boost.
During his spring success in the Caulfield Guineas, the colt raced in blinkers, though he has gone without in all three starts this season.
According to Waller, this gear tweak should help hone Autumn Boy's attention as he steps back from the 2000m distance of the Rosehill Guineas.
"Coming back to a mile isn't easy," Waller said.
"I don't think he needs the blinkers as a racehorse, but I've put them on to make sure he's there in Kerrin's (McEvoy's) hands when he asks him to quicken."
The three-year-old has shown good form this time in, coming home third to Ninja over 1400m in the Hobartville Stakes, then second to Sheza Alibi in the Randwick Guineas, before securing the win in the Rosehill Guineas.
Sheza Alibi gets a 1kg swing in weights for the Doncaster Mile (1600m), but Waller emphasized the importance of barrier positions and race rhythm.
Early fancies have the Victorian filly at $2 favourite, with Autumn Boy next at $5.
"If he draws well and she doesn't draw so well, the market will change a little bit," Waller said.
"She was terrific, and he was great the other day. It comes down to luck in running.
You need a strong 2000-metre horse to win a tough Randwick mile. That's what I'm going with, and he's got a pretty good weight (52kg)."
Waller looks to field a powerful team, with Sixties and Militarize locked in, Lazzura and Lady Shenandoah probably heading to the Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m), and Beiwacht to the All Aged Stakes (1400m).
Six times Waller has won Randwick's showcase mile race, most memorably with Winx in 2016.
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