Unbeaten filly Autumn Glow has given trainer Chris Waller plenty to consider following an eye-catching trial at Randwick on Monday morning.

The daughter of The Autumn Sun cruised into third place in a 1050m heat, finishing 2.5 lengths behind multiple Group 2 winner Schwarz. With jockey Zac Lloyd keeping her under a firm hold, the three-year-old showed she has lost none of her talent.

Waller is considering running her in Saturday’s Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, where she could be one of up to five representatives for the stable. However, the champion trainer is in no rush to commit.

“If she’s not ready to run and beat Lady Shenandoah, we probably won’t start her,” Waller said.

Autumn Glow has not been seen in race conditions since maintaining her perfect record in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) on September 21. A knee injury forced her out of last spring’s Group 1 Flight Stakes, which was ultimately won in dominant fashion by Lady Shenandoah.

That filly, who recently resumed with a convincing victory in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m), will again be the one to beat in the Surround Stakes. Waller acknowledges her class but hopes some of his other contenders—Amelita, Delichy Boulevard, and Lazzura—can rise to the challenge.

“Lady Shenandoah is the benchmark,” Waller admitted. “She was brilliant first-up and was just as dominant in the spring. But if my other fillies appreciate stepping up to 1400m, they might make it interesting.”

Waller also holds a strong hand in the day’s other feature, the $1 million Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m), where his stable stars Fangirl and Via Sistina will resume their rivalry after running one-three in the Apollo Stakes.

Stablemate Lindermann, who split them in that event, is also set to line up, alongside the resuming Land Legend. Joe Pride’s Ceolwulf adds further intrigue to what promises to be a high-class contest.