Autumn Boy is likely to be without blinkers for his first-up assignment in the Hobartville Stakes with champion jockey James McDonald convinced he doesn’t need them.
McDonald partnered the three-year-old in a 1000m exhibition gallop between races at Randwick on Saturday, Autumn Boy clocking 1:08.25 for his solo workout and stretching out nicely over the final stages.
The colt is due to resume in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill next Saturday, his first appearance since taking out the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in the spring.
He sported blinkers for the Group 1 win but after discussions with McDonald following the race day gallop, Waller said Autumn Boy was likely to kick off his campaign without them.
“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.”
Waller reported Autumn Boy had developed during his break, but said the crucial factor in his favour was a relaxed demeanour.
The three-year-old has only raced five times but according to his trainer has, ‘learned to be a racehorse” and while his first two starts will be against his own age in the Hobartville Stakes and Randwick Guineas (1600m), beyond that, Waller is open to pitting him against more seasoned horses.
“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.
Stablemate Wodeton will also be nominated for the Hobartville Stakes with Waller to decide later in the week if he takes his place.
The Golden Rose runner-up settled back in the field and was warming up late when third behind top filly Tempted in the Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) earlier this month.
