The highly anticipated showdown between racing’s top mares proved to be a dominant display from Autumn Glow, who secured her fourth Group 1 victory in the $1 million Winx Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Despite Autumn Glow’s commanding performance, Sheza Alibi’s run to finish just one-and-a-half lengths behind the winner, considering she missed the start, was equally remarkable.
The decision on whether these two formidable mares will clash again this spring hinges on the Group 1 race chosen by Autumn Glow’s connections. Options include the lucrative $20 million The TAB Everest (1200m) or the $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 17.
Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller and owner John Messara indicated that a hasty decision is not on the cards.
“We won’t worry about that today,” Waller stated. “There are so many things to analyse – the horse’s health first of all, sectional times, the likely competition. We will have to sit down and talk it through in a few days.”
Messara anticipates a decision regarding The Everest or the King Charles for Autumn Glow will be made within a fortnight.
“She will have a few days off and then we will see how she has pulled through this race,” Messara commented. “I would say we will try to meet with Chris in about a week or so and then decide what we do – but we will enjoy today first.”
Autumn Glow’s triumphant return was indeed a spectacle. The $1.70 favourite was expertly guided by jockey James McDonald, enjoying an unimpeded run throughout the race. She was eased down in the final 50 metres but still crossed the line a one-and-a-half length winner over Sheza Alibi ($3.50), with Gringotts ($21) a further two lengths back in third. Punters who followed the best horse racing betting sites witnessed the odds-on favourite deliver another stellar performance.
Remarkably, Autumn Glow set a new race record of 1 minute 21.03 seconds for the Randwick 1400m, despite not being fully extended. The race was filled with notable achievements:
Autumn Glow celebrated her 12th win from 13 starts, her fourth at Group 1 level, pushing her career earnings beyond $9 million.
She became the 12th favourite this century to win the race, and the seventh to start as the odds-on favourite.
Waller secured his 10th victory in the Winx Stakes (formerly Warwick Stakes), equalling the race training record held by the esteemed Tommy Smith.
McDonald recorded his fifth Winx Stakes win in six years, bringing him just one shy of the all-time race riding record held by the legendary “Demon” Darby Munro.
Several horses produced strong performances behind the leading mares, including Gringotts (third), Lady Shenandoah (fourth), Ceolwulf (fifth), Idle Flyer (sixth), and Green Spaces (eighth). Even the early pacesetter, Midnight Dynamite (seventh), ran commendably.
However, Autumn Glow’s consistent, almost machine-like efficiency in winning Group 1 races makes it appear effortless.
“She’s so special, just her gate speed and tractability,” McDonald remarked. “She knows when she’s in a race because from the 500m to the 400m, it’s like she just powers into herself and just builds herself, she just knows. It’s an incredible feeling and even though she puts herself in good spots, for her to have that audacity to fill her lungs up and know it’s go time, just let rip, it’s just incredible.”
McDonald also commended Sheza Alibi’s determined finish for second place.
“The second horse, take nothing away, she’s special as well. An incredible performance by her and I think we just embrace the two mares for how good they are,” McDonald said. “Even if they clash they’re two special, great horses that have come along at the same time. One’s a year older, but when they have their clashes it’s going to be some great rivalry. I wouldn’t swap Autumn Glow for any horse but I love the competitiveness.”
Waller expressed his appreciation for trainer Peter Moody’s decision to bring Sheza Alibi to Sydney to challenge Autumn Glow.
“It was great that Peter Moody and the owners brought the mare up to Sydney,” Waller said. “This was the first round of competition running these headline horses. As James just said, people come to the races because they want to see these great horses racing each other. We don’t always want these clashes but it is important for the sport. We have come out of round one pretty well but I’m pretty sure there will be round two or round three.”
Autumn Glow, now a five-year-old mare, has delivered her most outstanding first-up performance in the Winx Stakes, setting the stage for a formidable spring campaign.
“We know how good she is, so nothing has changed,” Waller affirmed. “We just needed her to come back and show us where she is. She was ready to go because I didn’t want her to have a tough time first-up. If she had to reach beyond what she was fit enough to do, then that it would have been tough on her.”
Messara conveyed a sense of relief.
“With these great horses, you just want them to come back at the start of a new season and perform at their best,” Messara said. “She was very impressive today, it was great to watch her. She’s a very special mare and I feel this could be her best season.”
Moody acknowledged that Sheza Alibi’s tardy start “wasn’t ideal” but declined to offer excuses.
“Sheza Alibi ran well, she found one better on the day,” Moody stated. “We’ve been competitive against the best so we’ll see if we can build on it.”
You can find competitive racing odds for upcoming Group 1 races at leading Australian betting sites.