The Autumn Stakes sees the return to racing of VRC Derby winner Polanski. He is the current favourite ($3.30) for Saturday’s feature but comes up against a progressive bunch of 3yo who, at this early stage of the autumn, are hard to assess. A host of changes sit on or near the second line of betting including Late Charge ($5.50) and Sydney pair, Thunder Fantasy and Rock Hero both at $6.50.
1. POLANSKI – D Yendall (10) 58kgs
The winner of last year’s VRC Derby, his fourth win from only nine starts, the Robbie Laing trained runner resumes here off a thirteen week spell. He looked in good order when running third of six in a Cranbourne Trial (800m) just over a week ago, a heat that included sprinters the calibre of Lankan Rupee, Unpretentious and Bel Sprinter. Defeated Gracious Spirit over this course and distance as a 2yo and on the trial effort, a strong showing here wouldn’t surprise.
2. ROCK HERO – M Rodd (4) 57kgs
This son of Fastnet Rock really started to put it all together when his races last got to a mile last preparation. He bolted in by 5 ½ at a midweek Canterbury meeting before overcoming a lot of trouble to register a head win in the Listed Dulcify Stakes (1600m) at his following start. His next and most recent run was an eighth (3.4 lengths) in the G1 Champion Stakes behind Complacent. Might’ve just come to the end of his prep in the Champion Stakes, it was sixth run in that time in and although the seven furlongs might be a touch a touch short of his best, wouldn’t dismiss him lightly from a good draw.
3. THUNDER FANTASY – M Zahra (3) 56kgs
Won his first two races of last preparation, a Hawkesbury Maiden and Class 1 at Newcastle, in very comfortable fashion before stepping up in both grade and distance where he acquitted himself well. He finished fifth in the Listed Dulcify Quality before running midfield in the G1 Champions Stakes and rounding out his campaign with a third placing to Polanski in the VRC Derby. Whilst he showed plenty of potential as stayer last prep, he has been tuned up with a barrier trial three weeks back and shouldn’t be totally ignored first up here.
4. COUNTERSHIP – C Newitt (2) 56kgs
Three starts back, at his second run this preparation, he held on to narrowly score a win in a BM 78 over this track/trip. The Stratum gelding trained by Mick Price, was then again involved in a tight finish, this time running third (neck) to Jessy Belle in a BM 70 (1500m) at Moonee Valley. With solid form behind him, he started the 13/8 favourite when making the trip to Tasmania for the Tasmanian Guineas (1600m) at his last start. He settled on the speed from a wide gate but battled late, running third (4 ½ lengths) behind Inner Warrior. Given seven weeks off since that run and from a good draw will take up a good spot but hard to see him holding off some the late challengers.
5. LATE CHARGE – V Duric (9) 56kgs
Wendy Kelly trained runner who, fresh off commencing his career with two good wins on slow tracks at Echuca and Flemington, finished well late in the Listed Henry Buck (1400m) and backed that up with a solid fifth (3 lengths) behind Divine Calling and Shamus Award in the G2 Bill Stutt Stakes. He then, at his most recent start, contested the G1 Caulfield Guineas where he got back in the run and never threatened, finishing a well beaten ninth. Duric was on board when he trialled in good style at Cranbourne just over a week ago. Any sting out of the track would appear to be a bonus but being first up and likely to get back in the run on a track that lends itself to those closer to speed, may give them too much start.
6. BRING SOMETHING – G Boss (1) 56kgs
Still a maiden after five starts but did contest some of the leading 3yo races last spring. The Ken Keys galloper caught the eye at his third race start, finishing hard from a clear last to run fourth (2.9 lengths) behind Divine Calling and subsequent Cox Plate winner, Shamus Award. His two subsequent runs in the spring where plain efforts however, finishing midfield in both the G3 Norman Robinson and G1 VRC Derby. First up with no trials here and will get a long way back, he might need this run and a touch further.
7. CARILLO – D Browne (8)
Darley runner who returned from a spell as the warm 5/4 favourite in a BM 60 (1225m) at Mornington a fortnight ago. The son of Teofilo settled second in the run behind Champagne Shisha but was unable to reel that mare in over the final stages and finished second by ¾ of a length. Not a bad effort against older horses last time out and makes his own luck on the pace.
8. ACCORD – C Williams (6) 56kgs
Off a handy trial performance back in August, the Mick Kent trained colt by Dubawi stepped out on debut in a Moonee Valley Maiden (1600m) in October last year as the 9/4 favourite. He settled mid-field and didn’t let punters down, running home well to score a half length win over Ezee Ezee, who went on to win her next two starts. Couldn’t have asked for more on debut and despite having had no trials in the lead up to this race, would not treat him lightly.
9. PYRROLIC – B Rawiller (7) 56kgs
Belied his quote of 8/1 when making his debut at Sandown last May with a three length win over 1200m on a slow track. Trainer Mick Kent then spelled the son of Teofilo with no doubt the view of some better spring races in mind but after a trial in August, he was spelled again. No trials in readiness for his return here and would be happy to see what he has to offer.
10. BARDEM – L Nolen (5) 56kgs
He came from last on the turn on debut to score a neck win in Maiden company (1200m) on the Geelong Synthetic track back in August. The Peter Moody galloper then travelled to Adelaide a month later where, as the 18/10 favourite in an Open class race he finished second, 2 ½ lengths behind Kushadasi. Set a task last start with 58kgs, a slow track and a step up from 1200m to 1500 off a three week break so did well all things considered. Kushadasi ran second last week to the smart Hucklebuck. No trials and $41 in early markets.
RACE OVERVIEW
A tough race to assess but going with Rock Hero and Thunder Fantasy as the top rated due to their good gates. Both are capable of taking up a good spot as they have done so in the past and each progressed well through their last preparation. With that experience and further time in the paddock to develop, can expect them to return in good order. Wide gate is a concern for Polanski. Not doubting he can’t win firs up but don’t think they’ll hussle him out of the gates first up either. He has some bigger fish to fry in the coming months. See him getting back and that’s been a hard place to win from on the Caulfield track in recent meetings. Late Charge and Polanski the pick of the closers.
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- THUNDER FANTASY
- ROCK HERO
- POLANSKI
- LATE CHARGE
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.