Autumn Glow effortlessly surged to the lead in the Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at the top of the straight, just as Ceolwulf began its run.
Trainer Chris Waller turned to jockey Darren Beadman and posed the question: “Are we in trouble?” Beadman’s immediate response was a confident, “No!”
Beadman’s assessment proved correct as Autumn Glow comfortably repelled Ceolwulf’s challenge, securing the win with her characteristic ruthless efficiency at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
There’s an undeniable arrogance to Autumn Glow’s racing style, stemming from her sheer superiority, and few sights in racing are as captivating as the mighty mare in full flight.
When asked to define her success, Waller stated, “She is very athletic, she has a great mind and natural brilliance. I think natural brilliance outweighs almost everything else because it is a rare gift.”
Autumn Glow’s jockey, James McDonald, attributed her success to “Tractability, sustained speed and her turn of foot!”
McDonald further commented, “I don’t think there is a horse that has run past her. She couldn’t catch Sir Delius (in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes last April). Obviously, Ceolwulf is a very good competitor and with blinkers on he had every chance today but still couldn’t beat her. She loves her racing, too. When the pace quickened she loved it, she really picks up and wants me to let her go. But she also knows when it is time to win the race. She’s an incredible horse, a great athlete.”
The odds-on favourite, Autumn Glow ($1.26), drew clear in the straight, finishing two-and-a-half lengths ahead of Ceolwulf ($4.80). They put more than seven lengths between themselves and the early leader, Just Folk ($41).
This victory marks her 14th win from just 15 starts, her fifth Group 1 triumph, and elevates her career earnings to over $12.8 million.
Hong Kong’s champion jockey Zac Purton rode Militarize, who finished at the tail of the five-horse field. He summed up the dominant performance by saying, “The best part of that race was watching Autumn Glow. She is a star.”
Waller, who trained his 10th King Charles III Stakes winner with Autumn Glow, described the mare as the “absolute professional”.
“We asked her to do a bit more work during the week expecting a wet track and more speed in the race,” Waller said. “But she took it all in her stride and came out and did that today. In modern day racing we have seen quite a few times this spring with tearaway leaders so we have to have them a little bit fitter. But it doesn’t matter how you train her, we just keep it simple and she trains herself. It has been an honour to be working with some great horses like her.”
Autumn Glow’s facile win made it easy to overlook the fact that it was a Group 1 race, with Ceolwulf attempting to secure his third consecutive King Charles III Stakes title.
“She lobbed into a good spot then I clicked her up at the 600m,” McDonald recalled. “I wanted to open her up today because she hasn’t had a lung buster for a few starts. “I opened her up and she got to the line. I was waiting for Ceolwulf with his blinkers on, he never came.”
Autumn Glow, the reigning Horse of the Year, has been unbeaten in her three Sydney starts this spring, winning the Group 1 Winx Stakes, Group 2 Seven Sunrise Stakes, and the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes with ease. There is a possibility her campaign will extend to one more start, the Group 1 Champions Mile at Flemington on November 7.
“We will have a chat with Mr Messara and Hermitage and see what they want to do,” Waller stated. “But we also want to make sure she has a long career so we want to look after her. She will go to the paddock for three days or so and we will enjoy this win.”
Chad Schofield, brimming with confidence after his Everest-winning ride on Tempted, gave Ceolwulf every chance, but Autumn Glow proved superior.
“I was really proud of him,” Schofield said. “He was very good there. “I followed her everywhere she went, she quickened very well but so did we. “She was always holding a good margin on us but she wasn’t getting away from us. I looked after him late in case they want to go next week (to the Cox Plate).”
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