Autumn Glow reigns supreme in stunning comeback

Source: racingandsports.com.au

The first clash of racing’s super mares was compelling even though Autumn Glow dominated the race to claim the fourth Group 1 win of her career in the $1 million Winx Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

But Sheza Alibi’s effort to finish within one-and-a-half lengths of the winner after missing the start was also outstanding.

Whether we will get to see the two mares clash again this spring will depend on what Group 1 race the connections of Autumn Glow decide to set her for – either the $20 million The TAB Everest (1200m) or the $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 17.

Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller and owner John Messara said they are in no rush to make that big call.

“We won’t worry about that today,” Waller said.
“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 expected to make a decision on The Everest or King Charles 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,” Messara said.

“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.”

And there was a lot to enjoy about Autumn Glow’s superb comeback win.

Mighty mare Autumn Glow ($1.70 favourite) was given the run of the race by jockey James Mcdonald and she was never looked to be in any trouble and was eased down 50m out to still score by one-and-half lengths from Sheza Alibi ($3.50) with nearly two lengths to Gringotts ($21).

Despite not being fully extended, Autumn Glow ran a new race record time of 1m 21.03s for the Randwick 1400m. In a race loaded with highlights:

• Autumn Glow scored her 12th win from 13 starts, her fourth at Group 1 level, and took her career earnings over $9 million.
• She became the 12th favourite to win the race this century, and the seventh to start odds-on.
• Waller trained his 10th winner of the Winx (formerly Warwick) Stakes to equal the race training record of the legendary Tommy Smith.
• McDonald 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.
• There were some great runs behind the mares including Gringotts (third), Lady Shenandoah (fourth), Ceolwulf (fifth), Idle Flyer (sixth) and Green Spaces (eighth). Even early leader Midnight Dynamite (seventh) ran well.

But Autumn Glow’s impeccable machine-like manner makes winning Group 1 races look routine.

“She’s so special, just her gate speed and tractability,” McDonald said.

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

“It’s an incredible feeling and 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 Sheza Alibi to close late 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,” McDonald 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 also welcomed trainer Peter 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,” Waller said.
“This was the first round of competition running these headline horses.

“As James just said, 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 is now a five-year-old mare and as good as she has been already on the racetrack,, her Winx Stakes return 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,” Waller said. “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.”

Messara admitted the overwhelming emotion was one of relief.

“With these great horses, you just want them to come back at the start of a new season and perform at their best,” Messara 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.”

Moody admitted Sheza Alibi’s slow get-away “wasn’t ideal” but wasn’t about to make any excuses.

“Sheza Alibi ran well, she found one better on the day,” Moody said.

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