Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Race-day recap
In 2018, Chris Waller sent out The Autumn Sun to success in the G1 Caulfield Guineas, and seven years later he successfully repeats the feat with the stallion's son Autumn Boy to give The Autumn Sun a fifth Group 1 winner.
Quality colt Hidden Motive (Capitalist) strikes at stakes grade for the first time, taking out the G2 Roman Consul Stakes at Rosehill Gardens for Nathan Doyle.
Just 10 days after breaking his maiden at a midweek metropolitan meeting, Storm Boy's half-brother Shangri La Boy (Pierro) stormed home to score in the G3 Gloaming Stakes at Rosehill.
Juvenile filly Inhabit extends her sire Stay Inside's record with a bold victory on debut at Murray Bridge.
Red-hot trial-winning juvenile Lady Of Five (Hanseatic) led all the way to win at Eagle Farm for Peter and Will Hulbert.
All On Red (Doubtland) was a strong juvenile winner at Ascot on debut, posting victory by nearly two lengths.
Like father, like son for Autumn Boy in Caulfield Guineas
History repeats itself; in 1999, Redoute's Choice led home a talented field in the G1 Caulfield Guineas and seven years ago, his son The Autumn Sun continued a magical spring for connections by replicating the feat. On Saturday, the dynasty went a step further when his son Autumn Boy matched his efforts to become his sire’s first Group 1-winning colt in the event.
Chris Waller steered the campaigns of The Autumn Sun and Autumn Boy, and brought the latter through the same lead-up race in the G1 Golden Rose Stakes, where the 3-year-old acquitted himself sufficiently to be worth the raid down south - an excellent decision, as proven when Damian Lane found the colt clear air in the straight and sent him speeding for home, beating a fast-finishing Planet Red (Admire Mars {Jpn}) by three quarters of a length.
“We're proud of all the horses that come through the stable, but when we've got champions like The Autumn Sun and we've got sons and daughters, it's pretty special,” said Waller. “Last week, Autumn Glow, now it's a super colt with Autumn Boy. It's pretty special.”
“When we've got champions like The Autumn Sun and we've got sons and daughters, it's pretty special.” - Chris Waller
The Guineas had been on the cards for Autumn Boy for some time, and Waller wasn’t put off by his seventh-placed effort in a track record-setting Golden Rose last start.
“This looked (to be) his race,” he said. “We like to just identify talent and then try and get them to that big ticket item. Today's such an important race in the horse's career, a colt who announces them on the big stage. (Owners) Glenn Ritchie and his wife, they've been so supportive of us, Charlie (Duckworth) and myself. They've become good friends of ours and kept investing, kept investing, and we've managed to buy them a really nice horse.”
“Today's such an important race in the horse's career, a colt who announces them on the big stage.” - Chris Waller
The hard work of the Waller Racing team was imperative for setting up the colt for success, Waller said; “I think you just consistently get feedback from your team. As a young horse before he even trialled, we were getting positive feedback. When he tria;led, it was positive. When he had his first run, he beat a short-price favourite from the stable at a big price.
Autumn Boy winning G1 Caulfield Guineas | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Everything's been positive, we took him to Queensland and gave him a trip away. I think we did that with his dad as well, maybe all of our Caulfield Guineas winners. It's just about experience, we know they've got talent and (it’s about) harnessing that.”
Waller also commended Lane’s ride, saying, “he's a world-class sportsman. That's a big thing that we underestimate - how good these jockeys are. What makes them so good is they're exceptional athletes. He's so good to work with. Again, he's just an ultimate professional. To be able to align with someone like that makes my job so much easier.”
Damian Lane and Chris Waller after Autumn Boy winning G1 Caulfield Guineas | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
A G1 Cox Plate tilt was floated, but Waller wasn’t so sure, given the colt is only a veteran of five starts, including winning the Listed Tattersalls Stakes at his second start as a juvenile.
Sales info: Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock bought Autumn Boy from Amarina Farm’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft for $200,000.
Pedigree info: The fifth Group 1 winner for his Arrowfield Stud-based sire, Autumn Boy is one of two winners for Rosegarden (NZ) (Savabeel), an unraced daughter of multiple stakes winner O’Reilly Rose (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}). Close in the family is Shamexpress (NZ) and G1 Caulfield Cup winner Affinity (NZ) (Zamazaan {Fr}). Rosegarden has a 2-year-old colt by Hellbent, and delivered a filly by the same sire this spring.
Connections of Autumn Boy after winning G1 Caulfield Guineas | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Hidden Motive steps into spotlight in Roman Consul
Capitalist colt Hidden Motive has kept the faith of syndicator Kurrinda Bloodstock since the start, having debuted fourth in the G3 Breeders’ Plate last year, and on Saturday the 3-year-old repaid that faith by bounding away with the G2 Roman Consul Stakes at Rosehill Gardens.
Trained by Nathan Doyle, the colt was sent to the front early by Ashley Morgan, skirting the inside of G1 Golden Slipper Stakes winner Marhoona (Snitzel), and was able to hold off the pack to win by a quarter of a length over Beadman (Snitzel).
The result was exactly what Doyle had hoped the colt could achieve, given the depth of his pedigree.
“He's by Group 1 winner, out of Group 1 winner, so he's got the pedigree and hopefully, he can go on with that,” he said. “He's got good tactical speed, which I think will help him go a long way. He's better off putting himself up to speed and taking bad luck out of the equation.
“He's (Hidden Motive) by Group 1 winner, out of Group 1 winner, so he's got the pedigree and hopefully, he can go on with that.” - Nathan Doyle
“He's a quality horse; he always looks a bit big in the mounting yard. I think he just takes a bit of racing to come to hand and (he) prove(d) that today third up.
“He has a great group of owners supporting us all the way, so we are very happy.”
Hidden Motive winning G2 Roman Consul Stakes | Image courtesy of Sportpix
It was a high point in a week that has been disappointing for Doyle and Kurrinda Bloodstock, after Group 1-winning colt Private Harry (Harry Angel {Ire}) had to be withdrawn from the G1 The Everest, having pulled up lame after the G2 Premiere Stakes last Saturday.
“It has been a tough week, but you've just got to roll the punches and, like I said, it's a rollercoaster,” said Doyle. “You've just got to hold on and ride it out.
“Tomorrow's a new day, and that horse was very good today. It was a brilliant ride by Ash. He rated him well in front, he gave a good kick on the corner. There were a few unlucky runners in behind, but they pay on the post, and he's a Group 2 winner now.”
Nathan Doyle | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Sales info: Bred and sold by Cressfield, Hidden Motive was a $120,000 purchase for Doyle Racing and Kurrinda Bloodstock at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Pedigree info: Hidden Motive is a son of G1 Robert Sangster Stakes winner Secret Agenda (Not A Single Doubt), who is a three-quarter-sister to the Group 1-performed Tutta La Vita (The Autumn Sun), as well as the Group performers Stellar Pauline (Not A Single Doubt), Donandkim (Smart Missile), and Sweetener (Snitzel), the latter of whom is the dam of G3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes winner Jasmin Rouge (Dundeel {NZ}). Another full sister is Final Agreement, dam of G3 Gimcrack Stakes winner Enthaar (Written Tycoon).
Hidden Motive as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Secret Agenda is unfortunately deceased, leaving behind a yearling filly by Zoustar and a 2-year-old colt Covert Action (Home Affairs), who was purchased by Shane Nichols for $150,000 at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Shangri La Boy measures to big brother Storm Boy with Gloaming win
Former boom colt and new Coolmore Stud stallion Storm Boy is a big act to follow, but his half-brother Shangri La Boy (Pierro) rose to the occasion on Saturday when winning the G3 Gloaming Stakes at Rosehill Gardens to give their dam a second Group winner from two runners. The 3-year-old son of fellow Coolmore resident Pierro only broke his maiden 10 days beforehand in a midweek Rosehill Super Maiden race, and took the step to stakes level with aplomb.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trainee was boldly sent to the front by Adam Hyeronimus, and they just couldn’t catch up to him as he rattled home, extending his lead to a tick over two lengths in front of runner-up The Pearls (NZ) (Proisir).
“He's obviously got some great true staying capabilities there,” co-trainer Adrian Bott said. “Storm Boy (was) a great sprinter, but this horse in his own right (is) a very good stayer because he's up to this grade very quickly in his career.
“He's (Shangri La Boy) obviously got some great true staying capabilities there.” - Adrian Bott
“This is his first preparation, just his third start, so to get quickly up to the 1800 metres and do that in such dominant fashion, it's certainly encouraging.”
Bott commented that the colt, who shares a similar ownership to his older half-brother, was always earmarked for staying distances, despite Storm Boy’s precocity.
“In fairness, he's always looked that way right from the outset,” he said. “Obviously being by Pierro, you always thought he might be more of a Classic style, but physically and the way he always presented right from the yearling stage (was more typical of a stayer).”
Shangri La Boy winning the G3 Gloaming Stakes | Image courtesy of Sportpix
The G1 Spring Champion Stakes in two weeks’ time beckons, and Bott shared it was certainly on the agenda.
“I think we have to, the manner in which he won that. It was a good test because it was 1400 metres up to 1800 metres on a relatively quick turnaround from the Wednesday meeting here 10 days ago.”
“I think we have to (go to the Spring Champion), the manner in which he (Shangri La Boy) won that.” - Adrian Bott
Sales info: Bred by Katom and offered by Coolmore Stud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Shangri La Boy was a $375,000 purchase for his trainers and Kestrel Thoroughbreds.
Shangri La Boy as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Pedigree info: On dint of being a half to Storm Boy, Shangri La Boy can boast juvenile winner Pelican (NZ) (Fastnet Rock) as his dam and New Zealand Horse Of The Year Sea Change (NZ) (Cape Cross {Ire}) as his second dam. Via Sea Change’s sisters, he is closely related to Listed Lightning Handicap winner Vodka Martini (Agitate) and G1 Levin Classic winner and top producer Keepa Cruisin (NZ) (Keeper).
Pelican’s 2-year-old filly by St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) was not offered at public auction this year. She delivered a filly by Justify (USA) last spring, and awaits a foal by the late Wootton Bassett (GB) this season.
Inhabit extends Stay Inside’s record with Murray Bridge victory
First season sire Stay Inside struck again on Saturday when his daughter Inhabit sprinted home to victory in the first race at Murray Bridge. The Michael Hickmott-trained juvenile, who is owned by an all female syndicate, jumped as the short-priced favourite after a six-length trial win and downed Blandford Baron (Extreme Warrior) by just shy of a length in the 900-metre contest.
"I'm so happy to see this filly get rewarded today", said stable representative Josh Hickmott. "She's been the consummate professional the whole way through, from the breaking in process all the way through her education. I want to think someone in particular, John O'Neil, he really underpinned this horse when we bought her at the sales and he's put his partner and his three daughters into the horse, and they've put a ladies syndicate together.
"I think the world is her (Inhabit's) oyster." - Josh Hickmott
"It's so exciting. I think the world is her oyster. We'll see how she pulls up from here and (see if we) push on, but we just couldn't be prouder."
Stay Inside kicked off his first crop of runners in style just last week with the victory of million dollar yearling Incognito in the G3 Breeders' Plate.
Sales info: Bred by Chris Barham and Binalong Bloodstock, Inhabit was sold by Segenhoe Stud for $200,000 to Michael Hickmott Bloodstock at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Pedigree info: Inhabit is a half-sister to stakes-placed Kujenga (King’s Legacy), who was fourth in the G2 Furious Stakes earlier this spring. Her dam Jenga (All Too Hard), a half-sister to dual Listed winner Granny Red Shoes (Not A Single Doubt), is due to deliver a foal by Capitalist this spring.
Lady Of Five leads all the way to win at Eagle Farm
Twice a brilliant trial winner - by over 11 lengths on one occasion - it naturally follows that juvenile Lady Of Five (Hanseatic) would make a big impression on debut, and the talented filly more than delivered at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Trained by Peter and Will Hulbert who share in her ownership, she leaped straight to the front and led all the way to win by three quarters of a length over Dream Roca (NZ) (El Roca {NZ}).
Sales info: Bred and sold by Rosemont Stud, Lady Of Five was an $18,000 weanling purchase for her trainers at the Inglis Great Southern Sale in 2024.
Pedigree info: Lady Of Five is the first runner and first winner for Oh Five Glory (Unencumbered), a juvenile winner who was stakes-placed at two and three. Oh Five Glory is a descendant of exceptional racehorse and blue hen Special (Habituate {Ire}), and is in foal to Doull for the 2025 breeding season, due in October.
All On Red speeds home on debut at Ascot
Widden Stud’s Doubtland posted a new juvenile winner when Tiarnna Noske-owned and trained juvenile All On Red (Doubtland) debuted at Ascot on Saturday with a strong win in the race card opener. Ridden by Luke Campbell, the colt skipped away to a near two-length victory in the 1000-metre race, beating out the Ryan Hill-trained pair of Dawn Dancer (Headwater) and Kute As Kan Be (Acrobat), who is the first runner for her Coolmore Stud-based first season sire.
All On Red winning the Moorundi Classic | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
Sales info: Noske paid $62,500 for All On Red when offered by Scenic Lodge at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
Pedigree info: All On Red is the first foal from city winner Poker Face (Snippetson), a half-sister to Group 3-winning Karuta Queen (Not A Single Doubt), herself the dam of three stakes performers led by Listed winner Eawase (Sebring). Poker Face has a yearling colt by Aysar and delivered a colt by Universal Ruler this spring.
