At Caulfield, staying three-year-old Autumn Mystery initiates his challenge for the South Australian Derby against veterans.
Since running eighth in November’s Victoria Derby (2500m) over Flemington’s distance, he gears up for the Lamaro’s Hotel Handicap (1400m) benchmark 84 on Saturday.
Three races form the blueprint from trainer Rory Hunter toward the South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville May 2.
Saturday leads to the Alister Clark Stakes (2000m) March 21 at Caulfield, Easter Cup (2000m) April 4 same venue, Derby ensuing in four weeks.
This path, per Hunter, includes buffer for any hitches.
“The South Australian Derby will be his grand final this prep and hopefully we can go into that fourth run in,” Hunter said.
“He’ll go to the Alister Clark Stakes in a month’s time after this and then maybe the Easter Cup at Caulfield then hopefully into the South Australian Derby.
“I think the lead-up race over there, the Chairman’s, comes up a bit short only seven days before the Derby and if anything goes wrong, you’re a bit short on time with them, so we’d prefer to give him that two or three weeks into it.
“Saturday’s race, I think, it’s a good stepping stone for him. He comes in with a lightweight being a three-year-old.
“I’m hoping he’s making some late ground and we’ll be happy.”
Better barrier luck is Hunter’s wish for the South Australian Derby.
Autumn Mystery, wide-drawn and held up last by Blake Shinn in the Victoria Derby, still closed best to eighth place.
“Unfortunately, he drew a wide barrier and there wasn’t much we could do,” Hunter said.
“Blake’s hands were tied and we had to go back and ride him cold and finish off the best he could, but he still ran really well.
“His sectionals were the quickest of the race, last 600, 400 and 200 (metres) and I think he’s got a lot of improvement still to come this time around.”
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