Champion trainer Chris Waller is assembling an outstanding team for the upcoming Group One Winx Stakes, with star mare Autumn Glow expected to be a leading contender. Decisions on the final number of stablemates joining her will be made later in the week.
Six of Waller’s carnival hopefuls participated in exhibition gallops at Rosehill on Saturday. Four of these horses are likely to be nominated for the 1400-metre feature race next weekend, including Autumn Glow.
“Whatever is ready to run, will run, so there will be a lot. It’s just such an important starting point,” Waller remarked from Rosehill. “Not many of them could probably beat a horse like Autumn Glow, but when you’ve got horses like Beiwacht, anything is possible. They’re all well prepared. They’ve been trialling for a number of weeks now. Today was an important stepping stone for me and the horses just to see exactly where they are seven days out from a very big race day.”
James McDonald partnered Autumn Glow during her solo gallop between races, and the jockey returned with a glowing endorsement.
“She is ready to go,” McDonald stated. “She seems to be working really well. Every bit of work she has done, she has come on, worked a bit sharper and sharper.”
Beiwacht and Lady Shenandoah also galloped individually. Waller confirmed both would be among the Winx Stakes (1400m) entries. Meanwhile, ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Campione D’Italia is expected to target the Show County Quality (1200m) on the undercard.
Buckaroo, French import Barnavara, and Autumn Boy worked together on Saturday. However, only Autumn Boy is a likely runner in the Winx Stakes.
Buckaroo is slated to resume in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield a week later. Barnavara’s equipment will be adjusted by Waller following her aggressive gallop.
Aeliana, Fangirl, Lindermann, and Angel Capital are also probable Winx Stakes nominations for Waller. However, Angel Capital is anticipated to join Buckaroo in Melbourne.
Aeliana pleased Waller with her barrier trial on Friday, despite an earlier setback in her campaign, and remains a strong contender for the Winx Stakes. “She will definitely be in the ‘noms’,” he said. “She only trialled (on Friday) because of the setback, but I think over 850 (metres), she was sharp enough, which is what I wanted to see.”
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