Autumn Glow reigns supreme in Winx Stakes

SYDNEY – The first clash of two super mares in Australian racing was compelling, even though Autumn Glow dominated the A$1 million (S$910,000) Group 1 Winx Stakes (1,400m) at Randwick on Aug 22 to claim the fourth Group 1 victory of her career.

But Sheza Alibi’s effort in finishing 1½ lengths behind the winner, after missing the start, was also outstanding.

Fans were left wanting for more, but it will be up to the connections to decide if the two great mares could clash again this spring.

Autumn Glow’s Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller and owner John Messara said they are in no rush to make the big call as to which Group 1 showpiece the five-year-old daughter of The Autumn Sun would be set for next.

It would be either the A$20 million The Everest (1,200m) or the A$5 million King Charles III Stakes (1,600m) at Royal Randwick on Oct 17.

“We won’t worry about that today,” said Waller.

“There are so many things to analyse – the horse’s health first of all, sectional times, the likely competition. We will have to sit down and talk it through in a few days.”

Messara said he expects to make a decision on The Everest or King Charles III Stakes for Autumn Glow within a week or two.

“She will have a few days off and then we will see how she has pulled through this race,” he said.

“She was very impressive today, it was great to watch her. She’s a very special mare and I feel this could be her best season.

“I would say we will try to meet with Chris in about a week or so and then decide what we do – but we will enjoy today first.”

There was a lot to like about Autumn Glow’s superb comeback win.

The mighty mare was given the run of the race by jockey James McDonald and she never looked to be in any trouble.

In the end, the $8 hot favourite was eased down 50m out to beat the fast-closing four-year-old mare Sheza Alibi (Luke Nolen).

The Ciaron Maher-trained Gringotts (Ethan Brown) finished another 1¾ lengths away in third.

Despite not being fully extended, Autumn Glow ran a new race record time of 1min 21.03sec for the Randwick course over 1,400m.

She has now scored her 12th win from 13 starts – with her only defeat and last-start third recorded in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,000m) on April 11 – and took her career earnings to over A$9 million.

McDonald, who rode his fifth Winx Stakes winner in six years and is now just one behind the all-time race riding record held by “Demon” Darby Munro, said Autumn Glow’s impeccable machine-like manner makes winning Group 1 races look routine.

“She’s so special, just her gate speed and tractability,” said the top Kiwi rider.

“She knows when she’s in a race because from the 500m to the 400m, she powers into herself and just builds herself, she just knows.

“Even though she puts herself in good spots, for her to have that audacity to fill her lungs up and know it’s go time, just let rip, it’s just incredible.”

McDonald also acknowledged the effort of the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Sheza Alibi, who closed in for second.

“The second horse, take nothing away, she’s special as well. An incredible performance by her and I think we just embrace the two mares for how good they are,” he said.

“Even if they clash, they’re two special, great horses that have come along at the same time.

“One’s a year older, but when they have their clashes, it’s going to be some great rivalry. I wouldn’t swap Autumn Glow for any horse but I love the competitiveness.”

Waller, who has now equalled the race training record of the legendary Tommy Smith after bringing up his 10th winner of the Winx Stakes (known as Warwick Stakes before 2018), welcomed Moody’s decision to bring Sheza Alibi to Sydney to take on Autumn Glow.

“It was great that Peter Moody and the owners brought the mare up to Sydney,” said the premier Sydney handler.

“This was the first round of competition running these headline horses.

“People come to the races because they want to see these great horses racing each other. We don’t always want these clashes but it is important for the sport.

“We have come out of round one pretty well but I’m pretty sure there will be round two or round three.”

Autumn Glow’s triumphant return in the Winx Stakes is her most outstanding first-up effort, and sets her up for a huge spring campaign.

“We know how good she is, so nothing has changed,” said Waller. “We just needed her to come back and show us where she is.

“She was ready to go because I didn’t want her to have a tough time first-up. If she had to reach beyond what she was fit enough to do, then that it would have been tough on her.”

Moody admitted Sheza Alibi’s slow start was not ideal but he was not about to make any excuses.

“Sheza Alibi ran well, she found one better on the day,” said the Pakenham-based trainer.

“We’ve been competitive against the best so we’ll see if we can build on it.” SKY RACING WORLD