This transformed into a genuine contest, a tactically engaging race, and her rivals made it challenging for Autumn Glow, but true champions find a way to win.
Autumn Glow was compelled to take the lead, faced pressure on the turn, yet surged clear of her competitors to achieve an exciting victory in the Group 2 $1 million Seven Sunrise Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
The reigning Horse of the Year, heavily favoured at $1.16, was expected to win what many anticipated would be a simple sit-and-sprint against only four other runners.
However, the race developed into a serious test, requiring Autumn Glow to run a fast Randwick mile in 1 minute 33.78 seconds, with her winning margin of a length and a quarter not fully indicative of her dominance.
Legendary trainer Chris Waller explained that he and jockey James McDonald discussed race tactics prior to the event, acknowledging the possibility of leading.
“James said we might end up in front and Nash (Rawiller, Gringotts) might be there,” Waller stated.
“We both decided we will just play it as it comes, (the tactic discussion) nothing too serious, just settling the nerves really.
“But it was good to watch and showed how versatile she is, like she can put herself there or can go back, she just has a great turn of foot.
“I know she was the short priced favourite but the horses in this race are all handy horses.
“There was a sprint from the 500m when it got serious so it was good to see her lift and draw clear in the end.”
Autumn Glow ($1.16) encountered brief pressure as she ascended the rise, with Gringotts, Ceolwulf, and Idle Flyer making early moves to challenge her, but the champion mare extended her lead to win quite comfortably.
Aeliana ($21) burst through along the inside rail late in the race to secure a very good second place, a half-neck ahead of Ceolwulf ($15).
Idle Flyer finished a neck behind in fourth, and Gringotts was alongside the placegetters, with only two lengths separating the entire five-horse field.
Autumn Glow’s race record now boasts 13 wins and a third placing from 14 starts, accumulating career earnings nearing $10 million, yet witnessing her win is always more than just routine.
She performs like a ‘box office’ attraction and had over 10,000 on-course spectators at Royal Randwick cheering the magnificent mare to the finish.
Jockey James McDonald commented that he had an open mind about Autumn Glow’s positioning in the small field and that leading was not his primary plan.
“I’d have been happy in three positions – first, second or third,” McDonald said.
“But once I got control, she just did it herself. She will jump out of the ground third-up.
“She went three quarter pace around then dashed home. They came after me, you probably could say they got to her at the top of the straight, but I let her balance up and she went away with it.
“She did what we needed her to do today. She had fun doing it – ears pricked the whole way.”
Owner John Messara maintains that this season could be Autumn Glow’s finest, and her wins in the Winx Stakes and Seven Sunrise Stakes to commence her five-year-old campaign provide strong evidence.
“Autumn Glow showed us today how versatile she is, she ran a very sharp time overall and I would say it was one of her better wins,” Messara remarked.
“I suspect James McDonald had a fair bit left in the ‘petrol tank’, too.
“There is improvement to come because her coat is not quite there yet but it will be perfect for King Charles Day.”
Messara describes Autumn Glow as the best horse he has owned and revealed his reduced concern over race results.
“I worry less now because she has won so many races but it is always a relief when the race is over,” Messara stated.
“I no longer worry about winning or losing, we are more worried about the mare and the jockey coming through the race safely.”
Waller, who observed the race from the trainer’s room and praised Darren Flindell’s race call as “amazing”, confirmed Autumn Glow is being prepared to peak for the Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 17.
“I’m pretty happy where Autumn Glow is at but there is some improvement to come, we haven’t screwed her down yet,” Waller said.
“We will just look after her and she will do the rest.”
Waller, who also celebrated Group 1 victories with Angel Capital in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and Birdman in the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield, expressed no regrets about targeting the King Charles III Stakes instead of the Group 1 $20 million The Everest (1200m) on the same day.
“I’m happy and comfortable with the decision (to go to the King Charles III Stakes),” Waller explained.
“I don’t have second thoughts, once we make a decision as a group, the ownership, jockey, my team, we run with it.
“I hope it is a great contest and if something beats Ka Ying Rising, good luck to them.”
Waller’s stable achieved a quinella in the Seven Sunrise Stakes with Aeliana finishing strongly for second.
“That was just as satisfying, if not more satisfying,” Waller commented.
“There was nothing wrong with her first up run, Nash got off her last start and said she is going great but the way the race was run, she just couldn’t get into it.
“It was good to see her acquit herself well today. If she had run third or fourth I would have said good run but to see her push through the last 50m was great.”
Autumn Glow will not race again until the King Charles III Stakes, while Aeliana is expected to compete next in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 3.
Ceolwulf, Idle Flyer, and Gringotts demonstrated competitive form and may clash again on October 3 in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick.
Betting markets for the race are already heating up, check out racing odds.
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