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Source: racingandsports.com.au
Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller has indicated he would like to avoid a clash between his super mares Autumn Glow and Aeliana where possible going into the spring carnival.
But this doesn’t mean Waller has ruled out Autumn Glow and Aeliana meeting first-up in the Group 1 $1 million Winx Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on August 22.
Autumn Glow is on track for the Winx Stakes and will have an exhibition gallop between races at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
But Aeliana will go to the barrier trials at Randwick’s Kensington track on Friday before Waller locks in her new season comeback race.
Aeliana, winner of the Ranvet Stakes-Tancred Stakes double to close out her four-year-old season, missed a scheduled barrier trial at Warwick Farm last week when she struck her hind leg in the barriers and was withdrawn as a pre-caution.
This has forced Waller to slightly alter Aeliana’s program to include Friday’s barrier trial.
“Aeliana is going well and she could run in the Winx Stakes if we want to,” Waller told Racing And Sports.
“We will get through Friday’s trial first and then decide but I was always keen to separate Aeliana and Autumn Glow.
“If I feel Aeliana can win first-up she will go to the Memsie Stakes (Group 1, $750,000, Caulfield, August 29).”
Aeliana, raced by Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds, is expected to do most of her racing in Melbourne this spring with Waller setting the mare for the Group 1 $6 million Cox Plate (2040m) at Flemington on October 24.
But Autumn Glow, who won the Epsom Handicap, Verry Ellegant Stakes and George Ryder Stakes at Group 1 level plus the Golden Eagle last season, is likely to remain in Sydney for the majority of her preparation although her primary big-race mission is yet to be determined.
The trainer and part-owner John Messara have two Group 1 races on the same day in mind for Autumn Glow – either the $20 million The TAB Everest (1200m) or the $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) both run at Royal Randwick on October 17.
Waller said a decision on whether Autumn Glow goes to The Everest or the King Charles will be made soon after she resumes in the Winx Stakes next week.
Autumn Glow has already had two barrier trials and the Rosehill gallop on Saturday will have her ready for the Randwick comeback race.
The two barrier trials-exhibition gallop preparation prior to a first-up race is a blueprint Waller has used frequently and very successfully over the last decade or so with many of his champions including Winx, Verry Elleegant and Via Sistina.
“James (McDonald, jockey) came out and rode Autumn Glow last Thursday morning and was very pleased with her,” Waller said.
“She’s come through her two barrier trials really well and the plan is to give her an exhibition gallop on Saturday then she will be ready to go for the Winx Stakes.”