Autumn Glow shines in the Tea Rose Stakes

Chris Waller is not one of those trainers who is afraid to take the next step with his horses and Autumn Glow could be the latest to rise to the top after she made it three wins from three outings.

The filly’s victory in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) at Randwick saw her price slashed into odds-on for the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) to be run on October 5.

As impressive as the daughter of star colt-turned-sire The Autumn Sun was to the a punters’ eye, Waller sees the family resemblance.

“She’s the spitting image of a dad,” Waller said.”The closest I’ve seen to (any other horse) doing so.”

Pairing again with James Mcdonald, the powerhouse duo went into the $300,000 event openminded on tactics.

“We just said to James, ‘make sure she’s happy and comfortable,’ and James said, ‘she’s got a beautiful action (and) I’m not going to take it away from her.”Starting the $2.05 favourite, Autumn Sun rounded up the field strongly over the last 300-metres with $14 chance Snow In May in second and Manaal ($3.80)– who kicked strongly in the home straight – in third.

“She’s very good,” McDonald said.

“She’s just so economical in her action. he’s got a great constitution, good strength about her (and a) really good mind.

“She’ll keep improving, too.”

Autumn Glow has been wound into $1.95 favourite for the Flight Stakes with Manaal on the second line at $6.

Her win delivered a twelve stakes victory for The Autumn in the first three seasons of his stud career.