Chris Waller’s unbeaten star Autumn Glow will look to keep her flawless record intact when she tackles the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill this weekend as part of her build-up to the Epsom Handicap.

The four-year-old already boasts five wins from five starts and showed her resilience with a gritty win in the Toy Show Quality (1100m) despite disliking the heavy 10 surface. With improved conditions forecast, Waller believes she can step up again. “Everything at home indicates that she is. I’m very happy with her,” he said. “That first run is pretty important to see they’ve come back well but also for fitness. The 1300 will probably suit her a little bit better than the 1100.”

Autumn Glow faces a deep field including Doncaster Mile hero Stefi Magnetica, placegetter Encap, Kiwi raider Pier and Spring Champion Stakes winner El Castello. Despite the competition, she dominates betting at $1.55. Waller isn’t getting carried away just yet. “She shows some exciting things but we want to see her tick that Group One box before we start talking a bit more,” he said. “But she’s got all the signs of a nice horse and we haven’t found the ceiling with her yet.”

Meanwhile, stablemate Joliestar also resumes at Randwick in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m). Last spring she was beaten favourite in the same race before running seventh in The Everest (1200m), but she bounced back in the autumn with a commanding Newmarket Handicap (1200m) win at Flemington. “We don’t need to bustle her to be in positions. That was her downfall this time last year,” Waller said. “She’s a more mature horse now and we’ve learned a bit more about her too.”