Talented youngster Autumn Mystery begins Caulfield Guineas campaign

Talented youngster Autumn Mystery impressed during his initial campaign, and trainer Rory Hunter is eager to see what the promising gelding can produce as he embarks on a spring campaign that may culminate in a shot at Group 1 glory.

The rising three-year-old is scheduled to resume in Saturday’s Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield, marking his final start as a juvenile. The outing is designed to launch a campaign Hunter hopes will include races like the Caulfield Guineas and potentially the Victoria Derby.

Autumn Mystery had four starts in his debut preparation, running third at Mornington and Flemington before solid runs from back in the field saw him finish sixth in the Blue Diamond Prelude and ninth in the Blue Diamond Stakes.

“He’s returned in really good order,” Hunter said.

“He put on 60 or 70kg while he was out in the paddock and he’s starting to furnish into a really nice three-year-old now.

“He’s had a couple of quiet jumpouts and I’m just looking forward to him kicking off on the weekend.”

Now physically stronger and more seasoned, Hunter believes Autumn Mystery can make the necessary leap to be competitive in elite three-year-old events later in the spring.

“He was pretty unlucky in most of his races, he drew wide gates so just due to that we had to go back and ride him quietly to finish off,” he said.

“Hopefully we can get a bit more luck with the barriers this time in and hopefully he’s improved into his three-year-old season and we can see the best of him.”

The trainer has his sights set firmly on the Caulfield Guineas in October as a grand final target, while also leaving the door open for a step up in trip should the colt indicate he’s capable.

“The grand final would be the Caulfield Guineas. That’s our aim at this stage and even if he was to progress on to 2000m, we may look at a Derby later in the spring.”

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