Chris Waller is hoping Autumn Boy can emulate his sire The Autumn Sun with victory in Saturday’s Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m).
Like his father, Autumn Boy was unbeaten at two before suffering his first defeat as a three-year-old, finishing runner-up to stablemate Sixties in the Ming Dynasty Quality. The Autumn Sun did the same before embarking on a Group 1-winning spree.
“His demeanour and he is also a very similar type,” Waller said. “The Autumn Sun had an amazing attitude towards life … this is a carbon copy.”
Blinkers have been added, a tactic that worked with The Autumn Sun. “When you’re getting old you follow old traditions and we did it with The Autumn Sun,” Waller said. “But I do think it will help him over 1400.”
Autumn Boy is one of four Waller runners alongside Wodeton, Sixties and Beiwacht. Early markets have him a $4.60 second favourite behind Ciaron Maher’s filly Tempted ($2.80).