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Source: racenet.com.au
The biggest question in Australian racing is – where to next for Autumn Glow?
Our newest superstar made it 11 from 11 when thumping her opposition in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
After the race, the question remained unanswered.
Will Autumn Glow head to the Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 4, the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) or Queen Of The Turf (1600m) seven days later?
Trainer Chris Waller may have given a hint that the $4m Queen Elizabeth Stakes is at the top list in thoughts.
“Just wait, wait and we’ll give them our best option of what we think,” Waller said.
“That will help her get 2000m.
“Go and get some feedback from James. Go and ask James (McDonald).”
The feedback from McDonald was blunt, “I wouldn’t be shying away from any horse in the country.”
The champion rider had just made it three Group 1 wins in a row, moving to 131 Group 1 victories during his amazing career.
Taking deep breaths after dismounting from Autumn Glow, McDonald was emotionally drained.
He described Autumn Glow as “very important” to the Australian racing industry and he made sure after the win, racegoers were able to get a close look at Australian racing’s new Queen, walking her slowly back to scale along the outside fence to the thunderous applause of the crowd.
“Now I can breathe,” he said.
“Let’s not beat around the bush, she’s 11 from 11, and people come out to see her.
“She’s got such an amazing following now so she’s very important and I have to get it right on her.
“It’s incredible the feeling you get from a horse like this and it’s special to witness the people’s eyeballs on her.
“I thought Anamoe was a big deal. This horse has taken it to a new level.”
After racing in a midfield position, Autumn Glow ($1.28 fav) eased widest entering the straight and strode clear to make her opposition look second rate, scoring by 2¾ lengths from Gringotts ($19) with a short neck back to Pericles ($16) in third.
“Chris said during the week we’ll see something special today and when he says something like that you take notice,” McDonald said.
“Her work’s been phenomenal.
“I truly believe she loves fast ground because there’s not a horse that can come with her. It wouldn’t matter what is in the race. Impossible.
“She’s got amazing speed. It’s quite incredible what we are witnessing because she’s a jockey’s dream.
“You get nervous on certain horses throughout your career and she’s one.”
The win was Waller’s eighth George Ryder Stakes victory.
His first was in 2010 with Danleigh while he also won four from 2016 to 2019 with Winx and following Autumn Glow’s success, he used the ‘C-word’ to describe her.
“Yeah, in my eyes she is a champion and I’m qualified to know what one’s like,” he said. “So, yeah, she’s a very talented horse.
“Obviously, longevity is the key now.”
The other vindication of Autumn Glow’s greatness was the assessment from her owner John Messara of Arrowfield Stud fame.
On the 20th anniversary of Miss Finland’s first of her five Group 1s in the Golden Slipper, Messara conceded that Autumn Glow has now surpassed her as the farm’s best racehorse.
“It’s for others to say whether Autumn Glow is a champion or not but she’s the best racehorse I’ve had anything to do with,” Messara said.
“She does things only champions can do. She has just beaten an outstanding field and beat them easily. I’m lost for words.”