Kerrin McEvoy doesn’t dish out superlatives lightly, yet after piloting Autumn Glow to her maiden Group 1 in the Epsom Handicap at Randwick, he labelled the unbeaten mare a star-in-waiting.
Tackling a wide gate, 54-1/2kg and the mile for the first time, Autumn Glow ($1.75 fav) took each obstacle in stride to put 1-1/4 lengths on Fully Lit ($31), with Pericles close-up in third. Remarkably, she did it despite losing a shoe mid-race, which may explain a brief flat moment as they swung for home.
“She pulled a shoe so I don’t know if that is part of the reason,” McEvoy said.
“For one hundred metres or so I was a bit worried but then she was good. She changed on to her ‘fresh’ leg on straightening and away she went.
“She is a champion in the making, I think.
“I don’t like calling them champions too early but she has gone to a new level today.”
Seven starts, seven wins: trainer Chris Waller insists the focus is less about keeping the zero and more about stacking Group 1 trophies. The win naturally stirred memories of the same meeting a decade ago when Winx won the Epsom Handicap as a four-year-old—though Waller was quick to temper any direct comparison.
“Yes it has. But there’s a long way to go,” Waller said.
“We will just place her right and probably one more run is enough for this prep. It’s all about Group Ones for me.
“I would say it’s the Golden Eagle but if it’s not the Golden Eagle it will be the Empire Rose Stakes. They’re both great races and they mean a lot to me.”
Front-runner Fully Lit stuck on bravely for second, while Pericles lost ground at the jump before rallying late.
“He just stumbled as the gate opened. Just tried to anticipate the start too much,” Parr said.
“It allowed Autumn Glow and Pier to have the wood on us early. A very good effort.”
Defending champ Ceolwulf finished sixth, with rider Chad Schofield suggesting a softer surface may suit better next time.
“The pace did come out of the race mid-race,” Schofield said.
“We got into the clear very nicely. I felt like he just wants a bit of give in the track. He was good though. He was genuine.”
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