In a bid for a key benefit, Chris Waller is bringing blinkers back for Autumn Boy in his Doncaster Mile renewal versus Randwick Guineas conqueror Sheza Alibi.
The colt donned blinkers en route to his Caulfield Guineas win during spring racing, but they were absent across his three appearances so far this campaign.
Waller is confident the blinkers will aid Autumn Boy in getting crisper now dropping from 2000m in the Rosehill Guineas.
“Coming back to a mile isn’t easy,” Waller said.
“I don’t think he needs the blinkers as a racehorse, but I’ve put them on to make sure he’s there in Kerrin’s (McEvoy’s) hands when he asks him to quicken.”
Building momentum this prep, the three-year-old was third to Ninja in the 1400m Hobartville Stakes, runner-up to Sheza Alibi next in the Randwick Guineas, and then victorious in the Rosehill Guineas.
For the Doncaster Mile at 1600m, Sheza Alibi enjoys a 1kg weight advantage, though Waller pointed to gate draws and tempo as pivotal.
Ahead in betting, the Victorian-trained filly sits at $2, Autumn Boy at $5.
“If he draws well and she doesn’t draw so well, the market will change a little bit,” Waller said.
“She was terrific, and he was great the other day. It comes down to luck in running.
You need a strong 2000-metre horse to win a tough Randwick mile. That’s what I’m going with, and he’s got a pretty good weight (52kg).”
Waller will have considerable strength in the mile feature via confirmed acceptors Sixties and Militarize, as Lazzura and Lady Shenandoah steer towards the Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m), Beiwacht to the All Aged Stakes (1400m).
The trainer boasts six victories in Randwick’s blue riband mile, including Winx’s in 2016.
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