Winner: Rainsun Beats the Weather

A direct descendant of Melbourne Cup winner Let’s Elope (Nassipour), Rainsun (3 g The Autumn Sun – Raindrops On Roses, by High Chaparral) won the A$42,500 Kelly Sports Maiden 1715 metres on 4 June at Geelong (Victoria).

Having found plenty for a close second when debuting in the Maiden 1590 metres on 16 May at Wodonga, Rainsun rated a top three chance and won comfortably in the hands of Jamie Mott.

In similar fashion when also confronting heavy footing, Mott had guided stable-mate Cinturato (Shamus Award) to victory in May at Warrnambool, and he produced another well calculated ride.

Advantageously drawn (9) on footing that downgraded from Soft7 to Heavy10, Mott was able to keep Rainsun on a nice wide path, remaining patient before giving him the ‘go’ signal 400m out, and sustaining an irresistible finish to gallop clear over the final stages.

Rainsun ran 1715 metres in 1:50.5 and confidently bet as race favourite, he paid $2.20 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote.

“Obviously it was a wet and testing track, but he got through the ground and it was a really good win,” said trainer Mark Walker.

“He’s developing into a nice staying type of horse, especially as he gets a bit older, and it’s great to have a winner in these colours for Carson Jiang and his father.”

Owned by Ms Angela Jiang, Rainsun was purchased by bloodstock agent S.C. Lam for A$250,000 at the Inglis 2024 Ready2Run Sale, from the draft of Valiant Stud.

Rainsun is by brilliant two and three-year-old racehorse The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice), who included five Group One wins in a career of eight wins from nine starts, while winning Australian Champion 3YO Colt in 2018/19.

Standing at Arrowfield Stud (NSW), The Autumn Sun has made an impressive start to his stud career, led by triple Group One winner Autumn Glow and dual Group One winner Autumn Boy, and he stands this season for A$137,500.

The gelding's dam Raindrops On Roses (High Chaparral), a winner of four races 2000m – 2500m, is a half-sister to Group Three winner Let’s Make A Deal, each out Danehill (Danzig) mare Let’s Get Famous.

The third dam is Australian Horse of the Year and 1991 Melbourne Cup winner Let’s Elope (Nassipour), who became the ninth of 12 Melbourne Cup winners for legendary trainer Bart Cummings, after she was originally purchased as a yearling in New Zealand.

Famously, in the space of 16-days, Let’s Elope won the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m), and Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), in 1991.

Rainsun carries the highly regarded bloodlines crosses of both Danehill and Sadler’s Wells. 

Rainsun was strapped by Camelle Davies.