Sun camp weighs Winx upset

THE mighty mare Winx against superstar colt The Autumn Sun in the Cox Plate would be a race for the ages.

But John Messara, controlling owner of The Autumn Sun, is lukewarm about asking his three-year-old colt to try to thwart Winx’s attempt at an unprecedented fourth Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in two weeks.

“I don’t want to be the one that shot Bambi — I would have to leave town,’’ Messara said. “So, even if he could beat her, I don’t really want to beat her.’’

The Autumn Sun emerged as a genuine Cox Plate contender after his stunning Caulfield Guineas win last Saturday. Despite travelling three-wide without cover, The Autumn Sun powered to the front at the top of the straight and streaked clear, winning easing down by nearly five lengths.

Messara’s competitive nature wants the showdown between The Autumn Sun and Winx but he is mindful of protecting his colt’s stud value which is estimated now to be $50 million.

The owner also recognises The Autumn Sun is still very immature and inexperienced.

His colt weighs only 480kg and has had just six career starts compared with champion Winx, the winner of her past 28 races in succession and acknowledged as the world’s best racehorse.

And as a passionate advocate of the racing industry, Messara doesn’t want the Winx fairytale to end, with the champion mare chasing an historic fourth Cox Plate on October 27.

To further complicate the issue for Messara and his other part-owners, The Autumn Sun and Winx are trained by Chris Waller.

“Chris is very fair about this and he said if you want to go to the Cox Plate that is fine, let them run on their merits and whatever happens, happens,’’ Messara said. “It is a difficult situation and we will brew on it for the next day or two but I will be guided by Chris’s advice.

“Chris and I made a truce not to discuss the issue until after the weekend.”