Titanic two-mare war in Winx

SYDNEY – It is being billed as one of Australian racing’s most anticipated clashes when star mares Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi face off over 1,400m in the A$1 million (S$904,000) Group 1 Winx Stakes at Randwick on Aug 22.

Autumn Glow, to be ridden by James McDonald, has a perfect first-up record with success in all four encounters and is two from two at the course and distance.

The five-year-old by The Autumn Sun had won her first 11 races from distances ranging from 1,100m to 1,600m before finishing third at her last start in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in April when champion trainer Chris Waller stepped her up to 2,000m for the first time.

Waller immediately apologised after the defeat, saying he simply got the distance range wrong for the mare who is aiming for her fourth Group 1 victory.

Sheza Alibi’s two Group 1 wins have been at Randwick over 1,600m, including the Doncaster Mile at her last start in April when she came from virtually last in the 16-horse field to win by over four lengths.

It was her seventh win from only 10 starts, with her other Group 1 success coming in the Randwick Guineas (1,600m) in March.

While regular rider Luke Nolen is back in the saddle on Aug 22, weight forced him to forfeit the ride in the Doncaster Mile to Jamie Melham, the first woman to complete the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2,400m) and Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3,200m) double with success on Half Yours in 2025.

Melham, who rode the then three-year-old at just 49kg, described Sheza Alibi as the best horse she has ridden.

“That was just incredible,” she said after the win. “I know she’s a good horse, but what she did then, I’ve never sat on a horse that’s given me a feel like that, and I’ve sat on some good ones. She’s a freak.”

Sheza Alibi has drawn barrier 1, while Autumn Glow will jump from gate 3.

Peter Moody, who now trains in partnership with Katherine Coleman, trained Black Caviar throughout her unbeaten career of 25 wins, including 15 Group 1s.

“I’ve been blessed to train one of the greatest we’ve ever seen in Black Caviar and this filly is just amazing,” Moody said after the Doncaster win.

“I’m not saying she’s Black Caviar, but that was just so good.

“It’s pretty emotional, just a special horse. Where’s the ceiling? You don’t know.”

Moody knew the day would come when the two champion mares would clash.

He declared Sheza Alibi was ready to make the trip to Sydney after Nolen galloped the Saxon Warrior four-year-old over 1,000m at Pakenham on Aug 18.

“The horse is in great order,” he said. “She is a healthy, happy girl. It was pleasing work.”

Waller, who has won the Winx Stakes nine times, holds the key to the race with eight of the 14 runners, including Fangirl, who is having her fourth crack at the race, which she won in 2023 after finishing second in 2022. She was third in 2024, and a heavy track forced her scratching last year.

Waller’s Autumn Glow, Beiwacht, Autumn Boy and Lady Shenandoah had exhibition gallops at Rosehill on Aug 15 to prepare for their first-up assignment.

“She is getting close to game day, and she is in the zone,” Waller said of Autumn Glow after the gallop.

On the prospect of taking on Sheza Alibi, Waller said: “It should be a good race. You have to be prepared for anything.”

McDonald rode Autumn Glow in the gallop and said the mare was “ready to go”, while Tim Clark said Beiwacht “felt like a powerhouse”.

Three of Waller’s other runners – Aeliana, Fangirl and Lindermann – had barrier trials at Randwick on Aug 14.

Hugh Bowman has rides in six of the 10 races, including Lindermann in the Winx Stakes. He won the race, formerly known as the Warwick Stakes, three times with the champion mare Winx, after whom the race is now named.

With the exception of Bjorn Baker’s Midnight Dynamite, the other runners are first-up going into the opening Group 1 of the new season.

The Winx Stakes is slated as Race 16 on the Australia race card on Singapore Pools on Aug 22 and will be run at 2.30pm (Singapore time). HKJC