Autumn Glow smoothly took command of the Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at the top of the straight, just as Ceolwulf began to emerge as a contender.
Trainer Chris Waller turned to jockey Darren Beadman and asked, “Are we in trouble?” Beadman’s immediate reply was, “No!”
Beadman’s confidence was justified as Autumn Glow easily fended off Ceolwulf’s challenge, demonstrating her characteristic ruthless efficiency at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
There is an air of dominance about Autumn Glow’s victories, a consequence of her sheer superiority, and few sights in racing are as thrilling as the magnificent mare in full stride.
Waller, when asked about her exceptional qualities, stated, “She is very athletic, she has a great mind and natural brilliance. I think natural brilliance outweighs almost everything else because it is a rare gift.”
The same question was put to Autumn Glow’s jockey, James McDonald, who responded, “Tractability, sustained speed and her turn of foot!”
McDonald further elaborated, “I don’t think there is a horse that has run past her. She couldn’t catch Sir Delius (in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes last April). Obviously, Ceolwulf is a very good competitor and with blinkers on he had every chance today but still couldn’t beat her. She loves her racing, too. When the pace quickened she loved it, she really picks up and wants me to let her go. But she also knows when it is time to win the race. She’s an incredible horse, a great athlete.”
Autumn Glow ($1.26 favourite) surged clear in the latter stages, holding a two-and-a-half-length advantage over Ceolwulf ($4.80), who in turn was more than seven lengths ahead of the early leader, Just Folk ($41).
Her impressive record now boasts 14 wins from only 15 starts, including her fifth Group 1 triumph, and her career prize money has climbed above $12.8 million.
Hong Kong’s premier jockey Zac Purton rode Militarize, who trailed the field of five runners. He perfectly captured the race’s essence by saying, “The best part of that race was watching Autumn Glow. She is a star.”
Waller, who secured his 10th King Charles III Stakes victory with Autumn Glow, referred to the mare as the “absolute professional”.
“We asked her to do a bit more work during the week expecting a wet track and more speed in the race,” Waller commented. “But she took it all in her stride and came out and did that today. In modern day racing we have seen quite a few times this spring with tearaway leaders so we have to have them a little bit fitter. But it doesn’t matter how you train her, we just keep it simple and she trains herself. It has been an honour to be working with some great horses like her.”
Autumn Glow’s seemingly effortless win made it easy to forget the magnitude of the Group 1 event, particularly Ceolwulf’s attempt to claim his third consecutive King Charles III Stakes title.
“She lobbed into a good spot then I clicked her up at the 600m,” McDonald recalled. “I wanted to open her up today because she hasn’t had a lung buster for a few starts. “I opened her up and she got to the line. I was waiting for Ceolwulf with his blinkers on, he never came.”
Autumn Glow, the reigning Horse of the Year, has remained unbeaten in her three Sydney starts this spring, dominating the Group 1 Winx Stakes, Group 2 Seven Sunrise Stakes, and the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes. Her campaign might continue with one more race, the Group 1 Champions Mile at Flemington on November 7.
“We will have a chat with Mr Messara and Hermitage and see what they want to do,” Waller said. “But we also want to make sure she has a long career so we want to look after her. She will go to the paddock for three days or so and we will enjoy this win.”
Chad Schofield, full of confidence following his Everest win on Tempted, gave Ceolwulf every opportunity, but Autumn Glow was simply too good.
“I was really proud of him,” Schofield stated. “He was very good there. “I followed her everywhere she went, she quickened very well but so did we. “She was always holding a good margin on us but she wasn’t getting away from us. I looked after him late in case they want to go next week (to the Cox Plate).”
Compare Australian betting sites for the best racing markets.