Autumn Glow is heavily favoured to win the $1 million 7 Stakes at Randwick. While connections anticipate she will live up to her short odds, they are mindful of the potential difficulties a compact field can create.
Chris Waller’s decision to scratch stablemates Lindermann and Lady Shenandoah, opting instead for Group 1 races in Melbourne, leaves Autumn Glow with only four opponents. All of these rivals have proven themselves at the highest level of racing.
Waller’s assistant trainer, Charlie Duckworth, acknowledged that the reduced size of the 7 Stakes (1600m) field might not be an advantage. “It’s probably worse. It’s obviously going to make it more tactical,” Duckworth stated.
He elaborated, “If she runs the same figures then she should win, but if she gets cluttered up… you see more hard luck stories in a small field than you do in a field of sixteen. We’ve just got to weigh up exactly how she gets ridden. She is very adaptable. You can ride her from anywhere. You can take luck out of the equation and going forward is obviously an option, and then you make your own luck.”
When questioned about the possibility of Autumn Glow leading, Duckworth indicated that all strategies would be considered. “I don’t think so at all. She has gone forward in the past and been happy enough to cruise up close to the speed,” he commented.
Winx, a legendary mare, started at odds of less than $2 in 31 of her 43 races, with her shortest quote being $1.05 when she triumphed in the 2019 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill.
Autumn Glow has started at odds below $2 in 10 of her 13 starts and is poised to race at her shortest price to date this Saturday.
The second favourite in the betting is Gringotts at $9. Autumn Glow’s stablemate, Aeliana, is priced at $15 and will participate after being withdrawn from the Underwood Stakes (1800m) in Melbourne.
Aeliana’s performance was underwhelming first-up, finishing last in the Winx Stakes (1400m). However, with a less demanding pace anticipated at Randwick, the stable anticipates a significant improvement.
Duckworth did, however, point out that Aeliana’s coat had not yet fully developed and that Sydney’s milder climate influenced the decision to keep her closer to home for another run. “Chris is just conscious of Aeliana. She takes forever to lose that winter coat and while there’s a bit more warmth up here, we’ll keep her up here for another couple of weeks before ultimately heading down for a Cox Plate,” Duckworth explained.
This Saturday marks only the fourth occasion the 7 Stakes (1600m) has been run. Think It Over, trained by Kerry Parker, won the inaugural race in 2023, and Waller’s Fangirl has been victorious in the last two editions.
Punters looking to get involved can explore the latest racing odds at Australian betting sites.
