Chris Waller’s faith in Autumn Boy was richly rewarded on Saturday when the colt fulfilled his early promise, capturing the $3 million Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield — just like his sire, The Autumn Sun.

Autumn Boy ($4.20) surged home under Damian Lane to win by three-quarters of a length over Planet Red ($31), with Observer ($21) another 1¾ lengths back in third. The victory gave Waller and Lane back-to-back wins in the Guineas following Private Life’s triumph last year, while also marking the first Group 1 success for any son of The Autumn Sun.

“We’re proud of all the horses that come through the stable, but when we’ve got champions like The Autumn Sun and we’ve got sons and daughters, it’s pretty special,” Waller said. “Last week it was Autumn Glow, now it’s Autumn Boy. It’s pretty special.”

Waller said the Caulfield Guineas had been a long-range target once Autumn Boy’s talent became clear. The colt debuted late in his two-year-old season, winning at Canterbury before taking the Listed Tatts Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm and finishing second in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty Stakes.

Despite finishing unplaced in the Golden Rose, Waller never lost faith. “It was a track record time,” he said. “He actually ran quite well — the sectional times told the story. He came through it well, and we brought him down early to tick all the boxes.”

Autumn Boy, along with Rivellino, Wodeton and Nepotism, remains among the contenders for the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley, though Waller said it’s not certain he’ll back up. “I don’t normally do that because they’re still babies,” he said. “It’s unlikely, but we’ll see how he pulls up.”

Jockey Damian Lane was full of praise. “He’s a beautiful colt who takes everything in his stride,” Lane said. “He’s very easy to ride and has that quick turn of foot you need to win these races. When he joined in, he really joined in.”

For betting odds on the Caulfield Guineas and Cox Plate, visit Australia’s top betting sites.