Young trainer Rory Hunter celebrated a milestone moment at Flemington on Sunday when Autumn Mystery surged late to capture the Howden Victoria Derby Preview (1800m), delivering him his first metropolitan success.
The son of The Autumn Sun had shown glimpses as a juvenile but thrived when stepped up in distance, producing a powerful finish under Blake Shinn to snatch victory in a thrilling three-way finish. Backed at $4.60, Autumn Mystery prevailed by a short half head over Engine Of War ($6), with race favourite Options ($3.10) another half head away in third.
Hunter, who was saddling only his sixth runner this season, was elated with the breakthrough. “What a stage to do it on,” he said. “It’s been an incredible journey to this horse. We’ve believed in him from day one, and it’s just great for it to finally come off. I’m rapt, especially with the whole team and the owners. They’ve knocked back some substantial offers along the way and given a young trainer like myself a go. I can’t thank them enough.”
Autumn Mystery will now be aimed at the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) on November 1, pending how he recovers. “That’d be the ultimate dream, but we’ll see how he pulls up,” Hunter said. “I think he’s got a very big future and we’ll likely head that way.”
Shinn, a 31-time Group 1 winner who has yet to secure a Derby triumph, believes the gelding has the right profile. “He’s got an aura about him when he walks into the yard, and he carries himself with purpose,” Shinn said. “He’s still learning, but he’s got a good engine. Even today he did a few things wrong but still got the job done. It was a great effort.”
Following the win, Autumn Mystery shortened to $8 for the Derby, with runner-up Engine Of War firming at $4.50.