Albury-based trainer Kym Davison has notched his initial victory at a metropolitan track during one of the highlight days of the Sydney autumn carnival, and it came about somewhat unexpectedly.

Davison aimed to have promising three-year-old Autumn Break compete in the $1 million Country Championships Final (1400m), yet the horse failed to qualify for the lineup.

Rather, he served as a reserve, and with reserves required to attend in Sydney for potential scratches, Davison opted to enter the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) as an alternative plan.

“First city winner, so not a bad one to crack the ice with,” Davison said.

“I was hoping to be in the next race, but great consolation.

“I saw this race and said, ‘well, we’re going up there anyway, so we’ll go and have a throw at the stumps’.”

Autumn Break, at $8, not only succeeded but edged out Chris Waller-prepared Kilman ($31), who set the pace throughout except at the finish, while Matias ($6.50) was a short head back in third.

The success provided a positive moment amid a tough period for the Davison family, as Kym’s sibling passed away from illness the previous week.

“It’s been a hard week. We lost my brother a week ago,” he said.

“He had been unwell for a while. But you’ve got to pick yourself up.”

Davison, with eight horses under his care at Albury, indicated Autumn Break will now take a spell, targeting a return for an early shot at The Kosciuszko (1200m) in October.

“The Kosciuszko, he’d go alright in that,” he said.

“His first start was over 1200, and he should have won that Highway (Handicap) here, that was 1200 first-up, so we’ll try to push onto that if we can.”

Explore the Australian betting sites for top racing betting markets on the Carbine Club Stakes.