Racing
Autumn Mystery a spring contender
Autumn Mystery will progress his claims towards the Victoria Derby when he runs at Caulfield.
Mornington trainer Rory Hunter says it is great to have a horse capable of being a player during the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
That horse is Autumn Mystery who runs in the Sportsbet Classic (2000m) on Saturday as his final lead-up to the Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 1.
Hunter has had a lifetime in racing and worked in many of the leading stables in Victoria and interstate before branching out on his own in 2022.
His first runner was a winner and while there have been many since, a Stakes victory is missing from his CV.
Hunter hopes that will all change with Autumn Mystery who has progressed from racing in Victoria's most prestigious two-year-old race to being on the verge of running in the Derby.
"It's great to be a part of the Melbourne Spring Carnival and have a horse that is a live chance in the race," Hunter said.
"When we brought him, we thought he would be a late maturing three-year-old, but once he got to the track, he showed he was a real mature type and showing the signs of being a two-year-old as well.
"It was great to get the opportunity to have a crack at The Blue Diamond knowing that in six months' time he was going to be a better horse.
"He's just shown maturity the whole way through and putting it together on the racetrack."
Autumn Mystery finished midfield in that Blue Diamond and was immediately spelled with a Derby campaign in Hunter's mind.
However, it took until Autumn Mystery's eighth start for the gelding to finally breakthrough in the Victoria Derby Preview (1800m) at Flemington on September 21.
"He was knocking on the door quite a few times, but sometimes he just switches off too much," Hunter said.
"That can be a good thing because when you get to 2500 metres (of the Derby) at this stage of their careers not many horses are going to stay that distance.
"If he can do that in two weeks' time, that will hold him in good stead.
"We knew the win was going to come eventually and thank God it was at Flemington."
Saturday's outing, back on the tighter Caulfield lay-out, will be Autumn Mystery's third attempt to score at Caulfield.
"Hopefully he can get a genuinely run race on Saturday and finish it off well," Hunter said.
Blake Shinn who partnered Autumn Mystery to success at Flemington, has the ride on Saturday.
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