Undefeated mare Autumn Glow will attempt to extend her perfect record to six wins when she lines up at Rosehill on Saturday in the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m), a key stepping stone towards the prestigious Epsom Handicap.

Fresh from an authoritative first-up victory in the Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick, Autumn Glow showed her class despite being inconvenienced by a heavy 10 surface. With conditions expected to be much kinder this weekend, trainer Chris Waller is eager to see her continue on her Group 1 path. “Everything at home indicates that she is. I’m very happy with her,” Waller 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.”

Her task won’t be easy with the field including Doncaster Mile champion Stefi Magnetica, Encap, the New Zealand-trained Pier, and Spring Champion Stakes winner El Castello. Nevertheless, such is her reputation that bookmakers installed Autumn Glow a firm $1.55 favourite. Waller, however, is keen to keep a lid on expectations. “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.”

Waller will also unveil another stable star in Joliestar, who resumes in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m). Beaten as an odds-on elect in the same race last year, she later ran a luckless seventh in The Everest (1200m) before stamping her quality in the autumn with a brilliant win in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m). Waller said Joliestar is more seasoned this spring. “We don’t need to bustle her to be in positions. That was her downfall this time last year,” he explained. “She won first-up really well then we asked too much of her second up (in the 2024 Sheraco Stakes) and the rest of it was good runs each time. She’s a more mature horse now and we’ve learned a bit more about her too.”