Chris Waller’s three-year-olds stamped their authority at Rosehill with Sixties and Autumn Boy fighting out the finish of the Ming Dynasty Quality, the pair now firmly on a path to the Golden Rose (1400m).

Sixties ($7), a brother to Group 1 winner Artorius, dictated from the front under Rachel King and found a strong kick in the straight to defeat Autumn Boy ($2.60 fav) by half a length over the 1400m trip. It was Autumn Boy’s first defeat, but the returning colt lost no admirers after surging late while conceding weight to his stablemate.

“He was very tough,” assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said of Sixties. “He has beaten a very good horse too, so full credit to the horse’s performance and the ride Rachel gave him. He dictated and gave a dominant kick at the top of the straight. He has to go to the Golden Rose – it’s a massive stallion-making race.”

Duckworth expects Autumn Boy to strip fitter next time, drawing comparisons to his sire The Autumn Sun, who was beaten first-up in the 2018 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) before rebounding to win the Golden Rose. “There was a bit of vulnerability with the top weight and rail out, but he flashed home in amazing fashion. His old man got beaten first-up and then stayed unbeaten, so hopefully he can echo that.”

Without Peer ($11) ran bravely for third, beaten 3-1/4 lengths after covering ground, with Ciaron Maher indicating the colt is likely to head towards the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).

Punters can already access early betting markets for the Golden Rose and other spring features via Australia’s leading betting sites.