Kerrin McEvoy has given Autumn Glow his endorsement prior to her key campaign objective, the King Charles III Stakes at Randwick, despite warming the saddle for the race day jockey James McDonald.
With McDonald committed to Caulfield for the Guineas meeting, McEvoy rode the prominent mare in a 1000m solo exhibition gallop between races at Rosehill and departed feeling she was in prime condition.
“Lovely. She’s got a great attitude, which we know,” McEvoy stated. “She’s a pleasure to deal with, and she put forward some nice work, so she’s in good form.”
Autumn Glow maintained a strong pace and completed the 1000m in 1:05.99, with her final 600m section clocked at 36.18 seconds.
This was her first public outing since she secured the Seven Sunrise Stakes (1600m) following her initial victory in the Winx Stakes (1400m), according to trainer Chris Waller’s assistant, Charlie Duckworth, who mentioned they opted for a track gallop instead of a barrier trial.
They are confident the five-year-old can contest the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) with a month between runs, owing to her innate athleticism, and confirmed the $5 million Everest day feature has been a long-term ambition.
“She moved well, pulled up clean in the wind, so she ticked every box we wanted ticked,” Duckworth commented. “In terms of holding her fitness levels, those elite horses do tend to hold their fitness a bit easier than others because of their natural aerobic capacity. This is the main race that has been targeted for the preparation, so we haven’t left a stone unturned. Fingers crossed we can get a nice draw, and it sets up nicely for us.”
Duckworth indicated the stable would likely not field another King Charles runner, though they might reconsider if nominations were scarce. Autumn Glow is slated for one final fast workout this week to prepare her for Saturday’s engagement and her challenge against the defending King Charles titleholder Ceolwulf and the aggressive frontrunner Pride Of Jenni. Pride Of Jenni was a recent addition to the field, as the race was not initially part of her spring schedule.
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