| Brilliant mare Autumn Glow extended her unbeaten run to seven with a tough and authoritative win in today’s $1.5 million Group One Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick. |
| The Chris Waller prepared star four-year-old had the majority of punters cheering when she cruised home to win the time honoured mile feature by a length and a half. Autumn Glow was sent out the $1.75 favourite following her previous two runs this preparation in the Group Three Toy Show and Group Two Theo Marks. The mare took the step to Group One level easily and by her performance in the Epsom it looks like more elite victories are within her grasp. “It means a lot to us, she’s a very talented horse,” Waller said. “It’s all about Group One racing in my eyes and for the future generations.” “So it was so important to get that box ticked, that was the biggest relief, I think the next run will be fine. I’m not worried about the winning record, it’s almost impossible to keep that intact.” “So, yeah, let her be a horse, and we’re so lucky to be here in Sydney with so many options. I’m just honoured to be training horses like her.” Autumn Glow sat second for much of the race and eventually wound in the leader when ridden up by jockey Kerrin McEvoy – but there were a few anxious moments for connections. “Yeah, I was concerned,” Waller pointed out. “They’ve got to be special to be able to do it in the first half and then do it in the second half when the pressure goes on, because she had her share of weight for a non-Group One winner with 54.5kg, that’s not easy, so she’s done a good job.” Waller said Autumn Glow would likely have one more run before a spell. “We just don’t want to over-race her. It’s what I call a four-year-old filly, as I say. We won’t over-race her. I’ll speak to Mr Messara and his team, and the Hermitage team up in Hong Kong, and we’ll see what they all want to do, probably one more run.” “It’s likely either the Golden Eagle or the Empire Rose at Flemington,” Waller added. Rider Kerrin McEvoy was thankful for the opportunity to again ride Autumn Glow with James McDonald riding in Melbourne today. “It was a good effort by her,” McEvoy said. “She had to offset that gate and she was quickly out of the gates, and I thought, well, I’m going forward.” “I just had to work along the back to get across, and then she came back under me. I was pretty happy from the 1000 metres onwards.” “I must admit I was a little bit worried around the corner just at the 600 metres. Fully Lit strode off and she just sort of came off the bridle a little bit quicker than what I thought, but to her credit, she got on her fresh leg turning in and straightened up, and then was away.” “Full credit to the Waller team, and I appreciate the support by them to get the opportunity. Obviously, J Mac had to go to Melbourne, but it’s nice to win these big races in well-known colours for a big team, it’s just exciting to be winning a major on a big day.” “It’s a good question,” McEvoy said when asked for what he thought would be Autumn Glow’s best distance. “We still don’t know.” “I’d nearly say that she’s a sprinter-miler, so it’ll be interesting to see how far she gets out in trip, she’s just got that brilliance.” “Chris might try later on, but the trouble with that is you’re a chance to lose your streak, your picket fence, but it’s a nice problem to have.” A daughter of Arrowfield Stud’s The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice), Autumn Glow was the sale topper at the 2022 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale. She was sold by Newhaven Park to Silverdale Farm and Brian McGuire’s Shrone Bloodstock for $600,000. A three quarter sister to Golden Rose winner and exciting young sire In the Congo, Autumn Glow is one of two elite performers produced by Via Africa. A three time Group One winner in South Africa, Via Africa was crowned the Champion Sprinter in her homeland for the 2013-14 season. Autumn Glow was the second Group One winner on the Randwick card for a Magic Millions sold runner. Earlier the incredibly talented Apocalyptic (Extreme Choice) scored a brilliant win in the Flight Stakes (1600m). Magic Millions sold juveniles dominated the country’s first feature two-year-old races of the season with Incognito (Stay Inside, $1 million GC Yearling) winning the Group Three Breeders’ Plate, Shiki (Too Darn Hot, $420,000 GC Yearling) winning the Group Three Gimcrack Stakes and Eurocanto (Per Incanto, $250,000 GC Yearling) winning the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes. Other Group winners on the day included Miraval Rose (Grunt, $250,000 GC Yearling) in the Group Two Rose of Kingston Stakes) and Getta Good Feeling (So You Think, $400,000 GC National Weanling) in the Group Two Edward Manifold Stakes. Winner: Autumn Glow Breeding: The Autumn Sun-Via Africa (Var) Race: ATC Epsom Handicap G1 (1600m) Sold for: $600,000 Sale: 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale Earnings: $1,740,000 Breeder: Newhaven Park Stud Vendor: Newhaven Park Buyer: Silverdale Farm/Shrone Bloodstock Owners: Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd (Mgr: JM Messara) & Hermitage (Mgr: Ms SM Clarke) Trainer: Chris Waller (Rosehill) |
