Chris Waller, the trainer, and John Messara, the owner, made public on Tuesday their plan for Autumn Glow to challenge herself at a mid-distance journey for the first instance in her unblemished 11-start sequence, for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes scheduled April 11 on The Championships’ Day Two.
Consequently, the mare Autumn Glow will forego entry in the Group 1 $4m Doncaster Mile (1600m) at that venue a week before.
Monday saw Waller, Messara and star jockey James McDonald confer on potential races, ultimately converging on the Queen Elizabeth Stakes target for her.
In the George Ryder Stakes last Saturday, Autumn Glow unleashed her strongest performance to date, taking the prize by almost three lengths with plenty in reserve.
A Timeform score of 128 came her way, level with The Everest conqueror Ka Ying Rising as Australia’s highest racetrack rating this season, solidifying beliefs among her team that 2000m in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes is feasible.
“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.”
Messara explained Autumn Glow’s stellar showing in the Ryder sealed his view to pursue 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.”
The announcement prompted TAB Fixed Odds to compress Autumn Glow’s price from $1.60 to $1.50 for Sydney’s autumn weight-for-age highlight.
Doncaster Mile odds shifted correspondingly, installing exciting three-year-old filly Sheza Alibi as the $2.10 frontrunner.
“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.”
A Queen Elizabeth Stakes success would crown Autumn Glow, dubbed racing’s “Miss Invincible”, as Horse of the Year.
Her current campaign features a perfect seven-for-seven record, highlighted by Group 1 coups in the Epsom Handicap, Verry Elleegant Stakes and George Ryder Stakes, alongside the Golden Eagle apt for Group 1 honours.
Importantly, the mare has prevailed in Group 1 events through spring and autumn, in handicap and wfa scenarios.
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