Tuesday brought confirmation from trainer Chris Waller and owner John Messara that Autumn Glow will venture to a stepping-up distance for the very first time in her spotless 11-start career, set for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes April 11, marking Day Two of The Championships.
Autumn Glow thereby opts out of the Group 1 $4m Doncaster Mile (1600m) at the venue a week earlier.
Waller, Messara and leading jockey James McDonald weighed race choices on Monday, landing on a plan to point the mare to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Autumn Glow registered her career-top effort winning the George Ryder Stakes last Saturday by near three lengths, idled up.
With a 128 Timeform rating, she ties The Everest winner Ka Ying Rising for the best Australian track number this season, convincing connections the Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2000m is suitable.
“We’ve been very pleased with how she’s come through her impressive George Ryder Stakes victory,” Waller said.
“James McDonald and I have been particularly taken with her ability to relax in her races, along with her outstanding recovery post run.”
Autumn Glow’s virtuoso run in the Ryder also swayed Messara to select the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
“I felt her win last Saturday was so dominant, she deserves the opportunity to go to 2000m – she wasn’t even blowing after the race and has pulled up so well,” Messara said.
“We looked at the Doncaster Mile carefully, it is a great race but it comes with the usual risks and a very big field.
“Plus it will be worthwhile finding out of Autumn Glow gets a strong 2000m as we have a race in the spring called the Cox Plate we want to consider.”
TAB Fixed Odds swiftly reacted, backing Autumn Glow in from $1.60 to $1.50 favourite for the key Sydney autumn weight-for-age showdown.
The Doncaster Mile wagering adjusted, crowning rising three-year-old filly Sheza Alibi at $2.10.
“With confirmation Autumn Glow will go to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, she is into $1.50 now,” TAB’s Tim Ryan said.
“Pending further news on who else is going to the Queen Elizabeth, Autumn Glow will probably start even shorter.
“We had Autumn Glow at $3.50 for the Doncaster but now we know she isn’t going to run, Sheza Alibi has firmed from $2.30 to $2.10 favourite. The money for Sheza Alibi has been relentless.”
If Autumn Glow, racing’s “Miss Invincible”, takes the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Horse of the Year is hers.
Seven straight wins this season include Group 1s from the Epsom Handicap, Verry Elleegant Stakes and George Ryder Stakes, and the Golden Eagle worthy of Group 1.
Key is her Group 1 wins spanning spring and autumn, handicap to weight-for-age.
Head to trusted betting markets for the race ahead of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
