James McDonald refrains from fully comparing Autumn Glow to Romantic Warrior yet, the dominant Hong Kong performer, but notes her promising development.
Her run sparked goosebumps for McDonald as the mare dominated by 2-1/2 lengths against Aeliana in the Saturday Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, now nine-for-nine.
Romantic Warrior’s record stands at 15 wins from 20, with McDonald riding eight winners aboard the gelding, who defines excellence—Autumn Glow could reach those heights with continued improvement.
“It’s very special. Just the way and the ease with which she’s doing it,” McDonald said.
“You’ve got to remember, there were a lot of stayers in the race. But I’m riding a very good horse in Hong Kong (Romantic Warrior) and she’s on a trajectory where she is improving all the time, she is lightly raced, and let’s just say, the world is her oyster.”
The performance was mesmerizing for Autumn Glow, who stalked the frontrunners before exploding away unchallenged.
Chris Waller takes this as confirmation of her excellent preparation, guiding choices for her racing roadmap.
“The first run of the prep is the most important. It tells you where they are,” Waller said.
“You can have as many track gallops, trials and exhibition gallops but until they’re under race pressure, you don’t really know.
“It tells me she’s in a pretty good position.”
Planned engagements are the Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) and George Ryder Stakes (1500m), leading to a verdict on mile or the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at 2000m.
If the Queen Elizabeth Stakes beckons, Aeliana awaits again, having earned Waller’s approval in her return.
“Aeliana was brilliant. It was good to see she can take up a spot if she needs to as well. She was put in the race and she was still strong late,” he said.
The trifecta belonged to Waller with Lindermann third, while Joe Pride noted blood in Ceolwulf’s nostrils after placing sixth in the Apollo Stakes. Fans should visit the betting markets for the race to get involved.
Afternoon scoping checked the gelding for internal bleeding, which would enforce a three-month racing prohibition.
Weeping Woman delivered the Triscay Stakes (1200m) win for Pride 40 minutes subsequently, tempered by Ceolwulf’s condition.
“I’m hoping more than anything (that it wasn’t a bleed),” Pride said.
“It’s not presenting typically like a bleeder would present. It sucked the life out of that win for me.”
The Triscay Stakes saw Weeping Woman ($3.40 fav) claim her breakthrough Group success, 1-1/4 lengths clear of Manaal ($4.20), with Verona Rose ($12) grabbing third half a neck later.
The post McDonald, Waller bask in Autumn Glow’s stunning return first appeared on Just Horse Racing.