Autumn Glow extends unbeaten record in 2025 Toy Show Quality

Autumn Glow stayed perfect at Randwick with victory in Saturday’s Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1100m), proving herself on a heavy track for the first time.

Trainer Chris Waller considered withdrawing her from the heavy 10 conditions but rolled the dice, and the mare justified favouritism at $1.50. James McDonald was briefly held up in the run home but switched her to the inside where she sprinted clear, holding off Gangsta Granny ($9.50) by half a length, with Hi Dubai ($17) further back in third.

“There were a few unknowns with her,” Waller admitted. “Just over the 1100 metres she was in a little bit of trouble from the 500 to the 300 but once she came back to the inside and got a bit of fresh air, it was good to see her finish off.”

Whether she develops into a sprinter or miler remains uncertain, but the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) looms as an option. Waller said the Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) would be her logical next step. “My gut tells me 1600 metres is going to be perfect. She is just a beautiful specimen, a lovely, scopey horse. I will talk to the owners but maybe the Theo Marks Stakes will be a nice stepping stone. We could always come back (in distance) if she had to. I just think the Epsom is there for her.”

McDonald said her unbeaten record reflected her natural talent. “The thing is we haven’t even scratched the surface in terms of putting her under a lot of pressure,” he said. “Whatever she has done so far, Chris has just wrapped her in cotton wool. She is doing it all on her own. When she starts with the sword put to her, she will respond really well. She is that type of horse. She has got no pain barrier.”