Autumn Glow could dominate Ryder Stakes says rival Charlton

In the event Autumn Glow shows up at Rosehill fully tuned, trainer Tom Charlton from the opposition admits the George Ryder Stakes is likely reduced to vying for supporting spots.

That said, he doubts it would play out identically in the Doncaster Mile (1600m) should the high-class mare pivot there after this Saturday.

For the Group 1 on deck this weekend, Charlton will have Linebacker and Yorkshire in action, both spotting Autumn Glow a 2kg margin under weight-for-age rules.

Those weights, he notes, make Chris Waller's top liner very tough to get past in her quest for an 11th consecutive victory, potentially turning the event into a showdown for minor money if she fires as expected.

"I can't be definitive with that, but if she's on her normal game, it probably is," Charlton said.

"As we know with horses, that's not always the case, but we're realistic about the challenge at set weights.
"Perhaps if we meet her in the Doncaster we might have more favourable conditions to give us our best chance of beating her."

The pair ease to 53kg in next month's Doncaster Mile (1600m), contrasting Autumn Glow's 56.5kg handicap and creating a 6.5kg swing their way.

With eyes firmly on that flagship event, Charlton looks for more positives from Linebacker Saturday, coming off a solid 1-1/2 length margin loss to Joliestar first-up in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m).

"He didn't jump as well as he can. He ended up a bit further back in what was a dash home," Charlton said.

"But all-in-all, it was a very good run. A run with a lot of merit and if he'd got the first hundred metres a bit more clinical, he would have been right in the finish.
"We want to see a similar run second-up. Top three would be great."

In the same contest, Yorkshire held on well for fifth, staying close to leaders despite an early training hiccup that caused him to skip his planned first run a week before.

"To see him put in that effort and only be beaten a couple of lengths was really creditable," Charlton said.

"Again, we want to see another strong performance and then third-up into the Doncaster."

Linebacker and Yorkshire enter solely in Charlton's care for Saturday, after training associate John O'Shea copped a four-month disqualification Tuesday over conduct toward veterinarians in the wake of Bev's Nine's contentious scratch from Rosehill a month ago, per Racing NSW stewards.

The trainer has stated he intends to lodge an appeal and apply for a stay.

Discover competitive racing betting markets for the George Ryder Stakes this weekend.