James McDonald, the elite jockey, feels confident that Autumn Boy won’t require blinkers for his return in the Hobartville Stakes.
The three-year-old completed a sharp 1000m exhibition gallop solo at Randwick on Saturday under McDonald, posting 1:08.25 and surging late.
Resumption awaits in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill next week, post his Caulfield Guineas (1600m) spring victory.
He donned blinkers for that elite win, but after gallop feedback from McDonald, Waller leans towards racing him bare-eyed initially.
“We’re probably going to leave the blinkers off,” Waller said.
“James doesn’t think he needs them. We just put them on in the Golden Rose and the [Caulfield] Guineas.
“He’s a very honest horse.”
During his layoff, Autumn Boy has filled out, Waller observed, stressing his serene disposition as a major plus.
His five-race career has taught him to ‘learned to be a racehorse’, in trainer terms, with age-group tests first in Hobartville Stakes and Randwick Guineas (1600m), then possibly elders.
“There are some good races on offer, and he might get a sniff of racing against the older horses as well, so plenty of tests,” Waller said.
Fellow stable runner Wodeton enters nominations for the Hobartville Stakes, with Waller set to confirm soon. Fans should look at betting markets for the race for Hobartville Stakes action.
The post Caulfield Guineas winner warms up for Hobartville Stakes return first appeared on Just Horse Racing.