3 minute read
First winner for Arrowfield stallion comes in New Zealand
The Autumn Sun is on the board after Tulsi provided the Arrowfield stallion with the first win of his stud career in New Zealand on Monday.
The Johno Benner & Hollie Wynyard -trained filly notched the milestone when she got her career off to the perfect start with victory in a 1000-metre 2YO maiden at Tauherenikau.
The $550,000 Classic Yearling Sale buy was just the fourth runner for the son of Redoute's Choice and earned big raps from Benner.
"She is a very laidback filly who is built more like a colt, but I loved just how relaxed she was before the race and again when she pulled up," he said.
"We have just ticked her along and now she has that experience under her belt we will see how she pulls up before deciding where to next, but a race like the Sires' Produce at Awapuni is not out of the question.
"I think she will definitely get a mile as a three-year-old but for the time being we will just let her tell us how far we can go in this campaign."
The Autumn Sun was retired to stud amid much fanfare in 2019, just months after his sire died at the age of 22.
Nine starts produced eight wins for The Autumn Sun, including the G1 J J Atkins (1600m) at two and Golden Rose (1400m), Caulfield Guineas (1600m), Randwick Guineas (1600m) and Rosehill Guineas (2000m) at three.
He served 167 mares at a $77,000 service fee in his inaugural season and has stood for $66,000 the past three seasons, when he covered 134, 131 and 159 mares respectively.
The best result from his three Australian runners to date was Deciduous's unlucky second placing at his Warwick Farm debut for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in early December.
