The highly anticipated clash of racing’s super mares was a compelling event, even as Autumn Glow asserted her dominance to secure the fourth Group 1 victory of her career in the $1 million Winx Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Sheza Alibi’s effort to finish within one-and-a-half lengths of the winner, despite missing the start, was also exceptional.
Whether the two mares will meet again this spring hinges on the Group 1 race chosen by Autumn Glow’s connections, with options being 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 indicated that they are in no hurry to make that significant decision.
“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 expects a decision on The Everest or King Charles for Autumn Glow to be made within the next week or two.
“She will have a few days off and then we will see how she has pulled through this race,” Messara commented. “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.”
There was indeed much to appreciate about Autumn Glow’s superb comeback win. The $1.70 favourite was given the run of the race by jockey James McDonald and appeared to be in no trouble, being eased down 50 metres from the finish to still score by one-and-a-half lengths from Sheza Alibi ($3.50). Gringotts ($21) finished nearly two lengths further back in third.
Despite not being fully extended, Autumn Glow recorded a new race record time of 1 minute 21.03 seconds for the Randwick 1400m. The race was packed with highlights:
Autumn Glow achieved her 12th win from 13 starts, her fourth at Group 1 level, and boosted her career earnings to over $9 million.
She became the 12th favourite this century to win the race, and the seventh to start as the odds-on favourite.
Waller trained his 10th winner of the Winx Stakes (formerly Warwick Stakes), equalling the race training record held by the legendary Tommy Smith.
McDonald rode his fifth Winx Stakes winner in six years, putting him just one behind the all-time race riding record held by “Demon” Darby Munro.
Several horses produced strong performances behind the mares, including Gringotts (third), Lady Shenandoah (fourth), Ceolwulf (fifth), Idle Flyer (sixth), and Green Spaces (eighth). Even the early leader, Midnight Dynamite (seventh), ran well.
However, Autumn Glow’s impeccable, machine-like execution of winning Group 1 races makes the feat appear 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 place.
“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 race against 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, now a five-year-old mare, has produced her most outstanding first-up performance in the Winx Stakes, setting her up for a significant spring campaign.
“We know how good she is, so nothing has changed,” Waller affirmed. “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 start “wasn’t ideal” but stated he wouldn’t make 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.”
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