3 minute read

The 2019 Rosehill Guineas at Rosehill on Saturday proved to be a much tougher test than expected for The Autumn Sun but he got the job done.

The Autumn Sun was heavily backed but fell in by a half head.

Winning Trainer: Chris Waller

On the decision to run: “Mr Messara is a good sportsman and that’s why the horse was here racing. There was concern earlier in the week whether he should be running on a heavy track because he’s still young and not a horse that’s fully matured. It’s through his sportsmanship that we brought him here and he’s a very good horse.

On the win: “That was a good test the last 200m. The inside horse was laying all over him but he just didn’t lie down. He’s a really tough horse. We were really testing him today over 2000m and only a champion comes out like he’s done and he’s done it.”

On his thoughts in the run: “I could see as soon as they went 400m it was going to be a really tough staying test and that’s the way it worked out. Just look at the margins they’ve come home in - it was pretty close from winner to second but behind that there were some really tired horses.”

On his future: “That’ll be up to the owners to decide whether he goes to stud. I get the importance of the horse’s value. I get the people at home, the people coming to the races and the media how they want these great horses racing. We’ve got to give the owners some support whatever decision they make but it would be great to see him back.”

Winning Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy

On the win: “It was only steadily run and J-Mac was up front on the Kiwi, the winner of the Derby over there, and I was wary of how easy he was getting it so we slipped forward from the half mile. I moved into it nicely and I hit the front and thought I’m here I had to commit again.”

“He hit the front early enough really and we were just in a case at the furlong where I had a slight advantage and he showed an enormous amount of grit because he wasn’t really liking that ground, it’s a real heavy track, and he has proved to me today that he prefers a nicer surface.

“I got strict instructions, no heart attacks today. It wasn’t a heart attack at the 600m but it was a bit at the 100m. He’s a real gritty colt and his record suggests that. He toughed it out at 2000m, his first try at the trip, and he toughed it out really well.”

On the colt: “To his credit he was able to hold the second horse off. He didn’t really like the really heavy track. Once he saw that other horse he went again. He’s a top colt and his record shows that. A beautiful horse and it’s nice to be part of his career.”

Beaten Jockeys:

James McDonald (Crown Prosecutor): “Probably needs to be ridden with cover to relax better.”

Damian Lane (Surely Sacred): “Very happy with him, just peaked on his run late in the heavy ground, but he’ll be better for that.”

Blake Shinn (Aramayo): “I thought he ran well, was sort of behind The Autumn Sun throughout, followed him to the bend, he stuck on well, I think he will appreciate the step up in trip for the Derby.”

Opie Bosson (Vernanme): “Got a soft cosy run, but he was the first one beat.”

Craig Williams (Arrogant): “I was very happy with him, he had the right profile, especially on the ground conditions today, the winner was favourite for a reason. He’s a really good horse, I think he idled a bit in front, the eventual winner, but my horse really made a race of it. Very proud of his effort.”

Damien Oliver (Chapada): “Good run, just got a little bit held up coming around the turn, but I thought he ran really well.”

Hugh Bowman (Dealmaker): “Consistent run from a consistent horse.”

Sam Clipperton (Purple Sector): “Was not a bad run, he just doesn’t handle the track, but I think he’s got a bit of quality about him.”

Jason Collett (Costello): “Lovely Derby trial.”

Brenton Avdulla (Yulong Tavion): “He had every chance, he gave me a good ride, just couldn’t quicken with them, but he actually finished his race off okay.”

Michael Walker (Ablestock): “Didn’t handle the track, but a bit outclassed.”