After creating a huge impression at her career debut at Rosehill, the Inglis Easter Sale topper Autumn Glow took the step to stakes company in her stride when creating history as the first filly to win the Group III CMNL Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill.
Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy for Chris Waller, the daughter of The Autumn Sun settled three pairs back in the running line.
Eased out into clear air on straightening, Autumn Glow lengthened impressively to defeat the Snitzel colt Wanaruah by two lengths, with the Frosted (USA) gelding Snack Bar three-quarters of a length back in third.
Chris Waller said he would prefer to keep the three-quarter sister to In The Congo against her own sex, but will leave that up to her owners, Arrowfield Stud and Hermitage.
“She is a very very serious horse,” Waller enthused.
“A lovely ride from Kerrin. It is pretty tricky today as it is so windy and blustery, catching a few younger horses off guard. He parked her in a beautiful spot and had some cover.
“She had to make the necessary step. I loved the way Kerrin just coaxed to her. I think he was just cuddling her a little bit. That is what I was telling myself anyway, and when he did ask that last 100m.
“It would be up to Mr Messara and Hermitage to make that decision (to run in the Golden Rose). It was only her second start today and taking on the likes of Storm Boy and the big guns at G1 level this early is probably premature. If we can keep her against her own age and sex, it just helps her a little bit.
“As soon she puts the flag up to say I’ve had enough, that is it. She has a very bright future, and that is the main reason for saying that. She will tell us. It gives us three weeks into the Tea Rose and then two weeks to the Flight Stakes. That is doable. She will tell us what she wants.”
Bred by Newhaven Park Stud, Autumn Glow was a $600,000 pinhook for Silverdale Farm/Shrone Bloodstock at the 2022 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.
Silverdale consigned the daughter of The Autumn Sun to the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, where Arrowfield Pastoral / Hermitage Thoroughbreds had the final say at a sale-topping $1,800,000.
A three-quarter-sister to Newgate Farm’s Group 1 ATC Golden Rose Stakes winner In The Congo (Snitzel) and to the talented Hong Kong performer Pleasant Endeavor (Redoute’s Choice), Autumn Glow is the third winner from as many to race for the Champion Sprinter in South Africa in 2013-14, Via Africa (SAF).
The daughter of the Forest Wildcat stallion Var won ten races highlighted by the Group 1 Scottsville South African Fillies Sprint (twice), and the Kenilworth Cape Flying Championship.
Autumn Glow is the fifth stakes-winner for The Autumn Sun.
Both sire, The Autumn Sun, and dam, Via Africa, have had their struggles of late.
Via Africa had two Snitzel foals born dead, and she was not covered last spring.
Newhaven Park consigned Via Africa to the Inglis Chairman’s Sale in May, but she failed to make her $600,000 reserve.
Arrowfield Stud’s The Autumn Sun is riding the crest of a wave, making it all the more disappointing that the champion son of Redoute’s Choice will miss the season as he recovers from a pelvic injury.
