Autumn Mystery continued his meteoric rise toward the Victoria Derby with a determined victory in Saturday’s Group 3 Caulfield Classic (2000m), giving trainer Rory Hunter his biggest success yet.

The lightly raced gelding, who broke his maiden last month in the Victoria Derby Preview (1800m), has now cemented himself as one of the top prospects heading into Flemington’s staying feature on November 1. His back-to-back wins have propelled him to the second line of Derby betting behind Engine Of War.

“We’ll just see how he pulls up over the next couple of days, the horse is more important than anything, but it’s sensational,” Hunter said. “It’d be a boyhood dream, that’s for sure. This horse is a star. He’s still six months away from being the best of him. It’s just incredible.”

Given a perfect ride by Blake Shinn, Autumn Mystery hugged the rail before bursting clear late to win by three-quarters of a length over Miewa ($4.20), with Amazake ($26) close up in third. It was another composed display from the gelding, who continues to improve with every start.

“It was a great win, he ran the 2000 out and bring on the Derby,” Shinn said after the race.

Meanwhile, the day’s other key Derby and Oaks lead-up, the Ethereal Stakes, saw Queanbeyan visitor Spicy Lu cause a minor upset by holding off the heavily backed Just A Journey ($2.40) by three-quarters of a length. The win confirmed the Tagaloa filly as a legitimate VRC Oaks contender for trainer Nick Olive.

“Running second in the Caulfield Cup with Single Gaze was probably the biggest thrill of my career, but it’s great to get a win down here,” Olive said.

“She’s just had no luck in her runs down here, it’s been so frustrating, but it’s great to get the job done today.”

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