Chasing her first Group 1 victory and in the process attempting to remain unbeaten, outstanding 4yo mare Autumn Glow did all that and more, jumping from the outside barrier to give Chris Waller his sixth victory in the $1.5m Group 1 ATC Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Starting shorter in the betting than Waller’s Champion mare Winx did when winning the Epsom back in 2015, it was clear from the barrier jump that jockey Kerrin McEvoy was going to use the outside barrier to his advantage, going forward in clear running to settle in second position.
As the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Fully Lit (Hellbent) took up the running, McEvoy had Autumn Glow travelling sweetly in second position, with last season’s Gr1 Spring Champion Stakes winner El Castello (Castelvecchio) following the leader in third.
With no horse having ever won the Epsom at their first attempt at 1600m, there was plenty against Autumn Glow, not to mention the weight she carried with plenty of previous Group 1 winners carrying less that the 54.5kgs Autumn Glow was tasked with.
With Full Lit rolling along in the lead and looking quite strong into the home turn, it appeared that Autumn Glow was under some pressure as McEvoy started to urge the 4yo along.
Taking until the 200m mark to head Fully Lit, once Autumn Glow had her head in front it was game over as she extended away to remain unbeaten and add that elusive Group 1 to her record in what will surely not be her last at the elite level.
4yo gelding Fully Lit ran out of his skin to finish in second place in what has been a great campaign so far, taking his earnings to a tick over $1.8m for his large group of owners.
Working home late, Bjorn Baker’s Pericles (Street Boss) continued on from his last start Group 2 Tramway Stakes success to finish third with Swiftfalcon (Exceedance) showing a return to form for fourth with just 50kgs on his back.
It was a sense of relief for Champion trainer Chris Waller who was finally able to tick that Group 1 box with his mare.
“It means a lot to us, she's a very talented horse,” enthused Waller.
“It's all about Group 1 racing in my eyes and for the future generations.
“So it was so important to get that box ticked, that was the biggest relief, I think the next run will be fine. I'm not worried about the winning record, it's almost impossible to keep that intact.
“So, yeah, let her be a horse, and we're so lucky to be here in Sydney with so many options. I'm just honoured to be training horses like her."
Waller was slightly concerned on the turn when McEvoy needed to urged Autumn Glow along a little.
“Yeah, I was concerned, they've got to be specialist to be able to do it in the first half and then do it in the second half when the pressure goes on, because she had her share of weight for a non-Group 1 winner with 54.5kg, that's not easy, so she's done a good job.”
As for where she will head next, Waller feels she may have just one more run this time in.
“We just don't want to over-race her. It's what I call a four-year-old filly, as I say. We won't over-race her. I'll speak to. Mr Messara and his team, and the Hermitage up in Hong Kong, and we'll see what they all want to do, probably one more run.
“It's likely either the Golden Eagle or the Empire Rose at Flemington.”
Having now ridden the mare on three occasions, McEvoy was also slightly worried on the home turn.
“It was a good effort by her,” said McEvoy. “She had to offset that gate and she was quickly out of the gates, and I thought, well, I'm going forward. I just had to work along the back to get across, and then she came back under me. I was pretty happy from the 1000m onwards.”
“I must admit I was a little bit worried around the corner just at the 600m. Fully Lit strode off and she just sort of came off the bridle a little bit quicker than what I thought, but to her credit, she got on her fresh leg turning in and straightened up and then was away.
“Full credit to the Waller team, and I appreciate the support by them to get the opportunity. Obviously, J Mac had to go to Melbourne, but it's nice to win these big races in well-known colours for a big team, it's just exciting to be winning a major on a big day early."
When quizzed on what McEvoy felt her best distance was, the jockey was slightly unsure.
“It's a good question,” said McEvoy. “We still don't know. I'd nearly say that she's a sprinter-miler, so it'll be interesting to see how far she gets out in trip, she's just got that brilliance.
“Chris might try later on, but the trouble with that is you're a chance to lose your streak, your picket fence, but it's a nice problem to have.”
Taking her unbeaten run seven with $1,740,000 in earnings, Autumn Glow was a $1,800,000 purchase by Arrowfield Pastoral and Hermitage Thoroughbreds from the Silverdale Farm draft at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Bred and sold by Newhaven Park Stud to Silverdale Farm and Shrone Bloodstock for $600,000 at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale, Autumn Glow is one of three winners, and two individual Group 1 winners from three to the races out of South African Champion Sprinter, and multiple Group 1 winner Via Africa (Var).
Autumn Glow is a three-quarter-sister to Newgate Farm’s Group 1 ATC Golden Rose Stakes winner In The Congo (Snitzel), whose second crop foals are arriving this spring.
Unfortunately, Via Africa’s breeding career has not gone to plan since foaling the unbeaten mare, having not produced a foal in the subsequent four season.
Autumn Glow is one of nine stakes winners for her Arrowfield Stud based The Autumn Sun who is standing this season at a fee of $66,000 (inc. GST). Autumn Glow is the fourth individual Group 1 winner (all fillies/mares) for the Champion son of Redoute’s Choice.
