Multiple group 1 winner Autumn Boy is set to return to Sydney for the Oct. 3 Epsom Handicap (G1) at Randwick Racecourse, having drawn barrier 1 for the 1,600-meter (about 1-mile) event. The 2025 Caulfield Guineas (G1) and Rosehill Guineas (G1) winner has remained in Melbourne following his runner-up finish to Sheza Alibi in the Sept. 12 Makybe Diva Stakes (G1) at Flemington Racecourse. James McDonald is booked to ride him at 55.5 kilograms.
"He'll run in the Epsom, that's our plan and James is booked to ride him so that's showing our hand pretty firmly," Waller said.
The 4-year-old will be bidding to go one better than in April's Doncaster Mile (G1) at Randwick, in which he was also runner-up to Sheza Alibi. Autumn Boy has finished second to the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained mare three times this year, having filled the same position behind her in the Randwick Guineas (G1). He is the early AU$3.50 favorite for the AU$1.5 million Epsom ahead of unbeaten mare Well Written.
Waller has six other entrants in the Epsom: Lady Shenandoah, Militarize, Panova, God's Window, Declichy Boulevard, and Mr Miller.
Waller dual-handed in Flight Stakes
Waller will send out a duo of runners in Saturday's Flight Stakes (G1) at Randwick, with both Striking Alibi and De Armas set to take their chances. The former enters off placed efforts in both the Furious Stakes (G2) and Tea Rose Stakes (G2) so far this campaign, while the latter is a recruit from New Zealand that ran fifth in her Australian debut last month.
"She's relaxing much better than she did in the first part of her preparation so stepping up to the mile it's going to be important for her,'' Waller's assistant Charlie Duckworth told Racing NSW of Striking Alibi. "She's got the horse that pipped her last time to contend with, but we have a soft draw and we're looking forward to a mile."
Meanwhile, on De Armas Duckworth said: "It was more a case of getting her to switch off and relax and do things right in that first-up Australian run. She relaxed beautifully and hit the line. It's a tough ask but it's a field of seven, a lot can happen, you've got a perfect draw to get a nice soft run and have a crack at them."
Turnbull A Decision Point for Half Yours
The Turnbull Stakes (G1) Saturday at Flemington Racecourse will determine whether reigning Caulfield Cup (G1) and Melbourne Cup (G1) hero Half Yours heads towards the Cox Plate (G1) according to co-trainer Tony McEvoy. Half Yours is set to meet several leading Cox Plate contenders in Saturday's AU$1 million feature at Flemington, with Sir Delius, Birdman, and Aeliana among his likely opposition. McEvoy believes the race will provide a definitive guide as to whether the gelding is capable of tackling the weight-for-age championship.
"The Turnbull is the fork in the road," McEvoy said. "I don't want to run him in a Cox Plate if he can't win one, but if he matches it with them in the Turnbull, he'll go to the Cox Plate."
Should Half Yours fail to convince connections of his credentials at 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles), a defense of his Caulfield Cup crown remains an option, with the gelding allotted 57.5 kilograms for the AU$6 million contest. Half Yours has raced just once this preparation, finishing sixth behind Sheza Alibi in the Makybe Diva Stakes. Despite finishing 4.7 lengths from the winner, he produced the strongest closing sectionals of the race after jumping from the outside barrier.
"He's got to tick the 2,000-meter box at this level," McEvoy said. "He's an elite stayer, but we've kept him nice and sharp with just that one mile race coming into this and I think he'll run really well."
Sir Delius tuned up for Saturday's Turnbull with a 1,000-meter (about 5-furlong) gallop over the track Sept. 29. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained entire finished fourth first-up in the Makybe Diva and will appreciate the rise in distance.
"His muscle tone has improved so much from his first-up run," Waterhouse said. The Turnbull will serve as a lead-up to the Oct. 24 Cox Plate.
