The Autumn Sun continued his dominance of Sydney’s 3YO autumn features while Nature Strip provided his sire Nicconi with a maiden G1 victory in a huge day of action at Rosehill today.

Outstanding colt The Autumn Sun made it career win No.8 – and G1 win No.5 – at just his ninth career start with another hard-fought victory in the Guineas.

As has been the case with his two other wins the preparation, The Autumn Sun looked to be under siege but his trademark fight and determination kicked in to again hold his challengers at bay.

The success, which came on a heavy Rosehill surface, took his career earnings to almost $3.5m.

The Autumn Sun is a $700,000 Australian Easter Yearling Sale buy for Hermitage Thoroughbreds and Chris Waller Racing, from Arrowfield Stud.

He was co-discovered at the Easter Sale by Guy Mulcaster, who was again trackside at Rosehill to watch the mighty colt win again today.

Ollie Koolman, representing part-owner The Hermitage, described the win as “gutsy’’.
“These aren’t ideal conditions for him but he’s got determination beyond his athleticism and his athleticism speaks wonders,’’ Koolman said.

“He’s a fair dinkum athlete bit his biggest asset is his ticker.

“You can’t really properly measure ticker until you get to days like this – it’s hot, it’s humid, it’s a challenging track but he’s relaxed, he’s gone out there and he’s got the job done.’’

Co-owner, breeder and vendor John Messara, from Arrowfield Stud, was full of praise for The Autumn Sun, who will stand at Arrowfield in retirement.

“This is not his ground, he didn’t enjoy one ounce of the race yet he toughed it out,’’ Messara said.

“That’s what real athletes do.’’

The Autumn Sun’s Not A Single Doubt three-quarter brother (ex Azmiyna) is lot 369 at next month’s Easter Yearling Sale, where he will be offered by Arrowfield.