Autumn Glow’s first attempt at Group 1 level will be no easy task after the unbeaten mare came up with the outside alley, barrier 14 of 14, for Saturday’s Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick.
The four-year-old will be out to join an elite list, aiming to become just the fourth mare in the past half-century to win the famous race. That trend has been more common of late, however, with Secret Admirer, Winx and Probabeel all scoring as mares since 2011.
Kerrin McEvoy retains the ride on Autumn Glow at 54.5kg after trainer Chris Waller confirmed James McDonald would remain in Melbourne to partner reigning Horse of the Year Via Sistina in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
Waller will only be represented by two runners in the Epsom — Autumn Glow and Lord Penman — as he chases a sixth victory in the feature mile. Assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth is upbeat about Autumn Glow despite the wide gate.
“It always makes it harder, but she’s a good horse,” Duckworth said.
“She’s terrific. She obviously had that exhibition gallop on Saturday at the races and bounced through that.
“She was just literally doing too well. She’s bouncing out of her skin. She’s ready to explode, it’s her first crack at a Group One, but she deserves it.”
Despite her barrier, Autumn Glow has been installed a dominant $1.80 favourite — even shorter than Winx, who won the race in 2015 at $3 carrying 57kg.
The day could prove another huge one for Waller’s stable, with leading chances across all three Group 1s staged between Randwick and Flemington. Alongside Autumn Glow and Via Sistina, Waller will also saddle up five runners in the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m), where Birdman has opened $5 favourite despite a tricky draw in barrier 17 of 18, which could improve to 16 if emergencies don’t gain a start.
Duckworth said Birdman was peaking at the right time and looked well placed at the weights with just 51.5kg after his win in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m), with McEvoy booked again.
“Running at the set weights race meant he was exempt from having a penalty, terrific job to get that win and still get in with a nice light weight,” Duckworth said.
“2400 metres will be a massive positive, just an awkward draw, Kerrin is going to need to be good.”
Waller has twice achieved the Epsom/The Metropolitan double, in 2014 and 2019, the latter year also producing a Turnbull Stakes victory on the same afternoon.
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