For James McDonald, it was shades of Dundeel winning the ATC Australian Derby, as he was afforded the luxury of standing in the irons over the final 30 metres on the favourite The Autumn Sun in Saturday's $2 million Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
Despite racing three deep without cover, the son of Redoute's Choice exploded away to win the days feature by four and a half lengths from the outsider Vassilator (Zacinto) with the filly Oohood (I Am Invincible) coming from the tail of the field to finish a further long-head back in third. (photo Grant Courtney )
"I'm taking no credit for that, it ended up pear shaped but I was lucky enough to be on a superstar," McDonald said.
"Chris said to just keep him in a rhythm and he will do the rest."
It was the third Group 1 for The Autumn Sun and trainer Chris Waller was immediately besieged by journalists enquiring about the likelihood of taking on his champion Winx in the Cox Plate.
"He's a very good horse and I don't think he's fully mature yet, maybe I'm wrong but I've had experience with some pretty smart colts and he is as good as it gets, he's a superstar," Waller said.
"I know everybody is dying to know whether he'll run in the Cox Plate but how can he beat Winx if he is not mature.
"If he is going to be a world champion I'd rather it be in six months time rather than two weeks time, that's how I see it.
"Ultimately it will be up to the owners, Hermitage Thoroughbreds and Arrowfield Stud."
The Autumn Sun advances his record to 5 wins and 1 third from six starts with earnings of $2,321,521.
Arrowfield recently purchased 50 per cent of the son of their breed-shaping champion Redoute's Choice.
"It just seems Arrowfield is the rightful place for this colt's future at stud, Arrowfield's John Messara said at the time.
"After all, we bred and sold him in partnership with The Aga Khan Studs, and we launched and stood his champion sire and grand-sire.
"He has physique, athleticism and pedigree, all of the highest order, and I couldn't be more excited about the prospect of standing him at Arrowfield."
The Autumn
Sun (pictured as a yearling ) was a $700,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Arrowfield draft for
Hermitage Thoroughbreds/ Waller Racing. 
From a famed Aga Khan family, The Autumn Sun is the second foal of the unraced Galileo mare Azmiyna (IRE), who is a half-sister to Azamour (Night Shift).
Honoured as the Champion Older Horse in Europe, England & Ireland in 2005, Azamour's 6 wins included the Group 1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes and Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes, Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes and Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes.
Chris Waller and bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster also secured the yearling from Azmiyna, a filly by Snitzel for $1.3 million at this year's Inglis Easter Sale.
Azmiyna has a yearling colt by Not a Single Doubt and was covered in December last year by Snitzel.
