Autumn Glow extends winning streak to six, on track for 2025 Epsom Handicap

Autumn Glow confirmed her star status with yet another commanding win at Rosehill, taking out the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) to extend her unbeaten record to six. Dubbed the best horse in Australia yet to secure a Group 1, the Chris Waller-trained mare appears on the verge of correcting that omission, with the Epsom Handicap (1600m) her likely spring target.

Assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth praised the four-year-old’s progression. “She’s got to be the best horse in training who is yet to win a Group One, which is the one thing that’s missing off her resume, but I’m sure that will come,” he said. “The target was the Epsom so it will be interesting to see what weight she gets in that. She is still very lightly raced and continuing to improve. What her optimum distance is is still yet to be seen. She has got endless gears.”

Ridden confidently by Kerrin McEvoy, Autumn Glow ($1.30 fav) settled in third before easing clear in the straight to beat General Salute ($8) by 2-1/4 lengths, with Pier ($6.50) a further 1-3/4 lengths adrift in third.

Duckworth described her acceleration as breathtaking. “She must have almost given Kerrin a fright how quickly she quickened up around the home turn. She is just electric. I don’t think he even asked her, I think he might have just been thinking about asking her and then she took off.”

McEvoy said she has the ability to excel at either the Randwick mile or over shorter distances should connections look towards The Everest (1200m). “I think she’ll stay further but she’s got a motor as well. I’m sure Chris and the team will make the right call. Probably a mile because then I might be a chance to ride her.”