Autumn out to be a spring Derby hit

Don't expect big celebrations from the team behind Autumn Mystery if the three-year-old wins the Victoria Derby at Flemington. 

"I'd be happy to go to the pub for a parma and a pot of beer, that would do me," Autumn Mystery's trainer Rory Hunter said. 

"You do have to dream, and he'll represent the stable really well on Saturday." 

Autumn Mystery has come a long way in recent times and will be shooting for a winning hat-trick when he runs in the Group 1 staying test over 2500m for three-year-olds on Saturday. 

As a two-year-old, Autumn Mystery lined up in Victoria's most prestigious juvenile race, the Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield and 10 months later is stepping up to 2500m for the first time. 

In Autumn Mystery's favour is he is the most experience galloper in Saturday's field of 20 which includes four emergencies, facing the starter for the tenth time where he will jump from gate 15 if the emergencies don't gain a start. 

A $15,000 yearling purchase, Autumn Mystery showed promise from day dot, but Hunter was always of the opinion the gelding would be a three-year-old and even better horse in the autumn. 

But after his last run as a two-year-old, Hunter began mapping out a Derby campaign. 

Frustrated at some narrow defeats, Hunter said the most pleasing thing this campaign has been seeing Autumn Mystery finally posting a win. 

That came at Flemington over 1800m on September 21 before he rose to 2000m and overcame a checkered passage in the straight to score in the Caulfield Classic (2000m) on October 18. 

"We always knew he a ton of ability, but he was just getting a bit frustrating," Hunter said. 

"That win at Flemington brought out some confidence in him and in his last win at Caulfield and he's really thrived since. 

"He's had a nice couple of weeks between runs now. 

"He's bounced out of his last run really well, he's eaten up and his work has been really good since, so we're really happy with him heading into the Derby on Saturday." 

Blake Shinn has been aboard Autumn Mystery in his last two starts that have resulted in victories, but the trainer concedes the wide draw is a concern. 

He said he won't be tying Shinn down with any instructions. 

"A jockey of Blake's experience, you don't have to give them any instructions," Hunter said. 

"He's ridden at that level numerous times and he's got the experience on his side. He's one of the smartest decision makers out there of the jockeys. 

"He's been a bargain buy for the owners. I honestly thought on his pedigree he would be a $200,000 or $300,000 horse, a bit outside our price budget. 

"He's been fantastic for the owners. He owes them nothing and he's going to take them on a ride. 

"Whatever he does on Saturday, in 12 months' time, they've got a lot of fun times in front of them."