First city winner could lead to Group One glory for Rory Hunter.
Rory Hunter notched his first city winner in style as Autumn Mystery outstayed his rivals to take the Howden Victoria Derby Preview (1800m) at Flemington on Sunday.
Having shown glimpses of ability over shorter trips as a two-year-old, it took a rise to 1800m for gelding by The Autumn Sun to break his maiden, doing so under a desperate late lunge by leading jockey Blake Shinn.
Sent out a $4.60 chance, Autumn Mystery prevailed in a three-way go to the line, edging out Engine Of War ($6) by a short half head with $3.10 favourite Options just a half head away in third.
Saddling up just his sixth runner for the season and winning his first, the Mornington based trainer said the win was very special, especially considering the offers the owners had received for the horse.
"What a stage to do it on," Hunter 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 around us and especially the owners, they've knocked back some quite substantial offers for him along the way and give a young trainer like myself a go. I can't thank them enough.
Hunter said Autumn Mystery would indeed be set for the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) on November 1st, provided he pulls up well.
"That'd be the ultimate dream but we'll just see how he pulls up the next few days," Hunter said.
"I think he's got a very big future, but I'd say we'll be heading that way at this stage."
31-time Group One winner Blake Shinn hasn't ridden a Victoria Derby winner to date but said Autumn Mystery possessed all the right qualities to be competitive in a Classic.
"He's got an aura about him when he walks around the mounting yard, and he carries himself with a lot of purpose," Shinn said.
"He's just got to get the racing brain to tap into himself, and I think that'll come in time and maturity.
But he's certainly got a good engine, as he's indicated in a lot of his runs. But it's nice that he still did a few things wrong today but got the job done. It was a great effort."
Autumn Mystery came into $8 second elect for the Derby with Engine Of War holding firm at $4.50 despite finishing second.
