There is no doubting The Autumn Sun's class but the Chris Waller-trained colt also has a fierce will to win, which he needed in spades when the well-named kiwi Arrogant refused to lay down in Saturday's Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
With the scratching of Madison County due to an accident in the horse float, The Autumn Sun was at unbackable odds to win his fifth Group 1.
Racing much closer to the lead than he did in his heart-stopping win in the Hobartville Stakes, Kerrin McEvoy had the son of Redoute's Choice in a challenging position on the turn.
When Arrogant took over from the NZ Derby winner Crown Prosecutor at the 300 metres, The Autumn Sun quickly chimed in and looked set for a comfortable victory. However, Arrogant (Ocean Park) began to rally under Craig Williams but he could not claw back the head advantage with Chapada (Bullet Train) two and a quarter lengths back in third. (images Steve Hart)
"That was a good test the last 200m. The inside horse was laying all over him but he just didn't lie down," Waller said.
"He's a really tough horse. For a horse with so much speed, he won the Golden Rose over 1400 metres, we really tested him today over 2000m and only a champion comes out like he's done.
"I could see as soon as they went 400m it was going to be a really tough staying test and that's the way it worked out. Just look at the margins they've come home in - it was pretty close from winner to second but behind that there were some really tired horses.
"Mr Messara is a good sportsman and that's why the horse was here racing. There was concern earlier in the week whether he should be running on a heavy track because he's still young and not a horse that's fully matured. It's through his sportsmanship that we brought him here and he's a very good horse."
Waller said there had been no decision of the horse's future after today.
"That'll be up to the owners to decide whether he goes to stud. I get the importance of the horse's value, he said.
The Autumn Sun will retire to stand at Arrowfield Stud who's owner John Messara said; "You can tell he didn't enjoy it (today), that was pure guts."
The Autumn Sun advances his record to 8 wins and 1 third from 9 starts with earnings of $3,489,121.
Arrowfield purchased 50 per cent of The Autumn Sun before the Caulfield Guineas.
The son of Redoute's Choice 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 Snitzel filly out of Azmiyna for $1.3 million at last year's Inglis Easter Sale.
Azmiyna (IRE) has a yearling colt by Not a Single Doubt that has been catalogued as Lot 369 at the Easter Yearling Sale.
After foaling a Snitzel filly last spring, Azmiyna (IRE) headed to Japan for a date with Deep Impact. From there she will return home to the Aga Khan's Gilltown Stud in Ireland.
The Autumn Sun had an incredible fight to win the @rosehillgardens Guineas today in an unbelievable race @cwallerracing@KPMcEvoy@atc_races. pic.twitter.com/7vtiF2SboS
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 23, 2019
