JMac and Waller rule Golden Slipper Day as Autumn Glow reveals champion prowess
Chris Waller, the Hall of Fame conditioner, labelled Autumn Glow a champion after the mare demolished an elite group in the Group 1 $1 million George Ryder Stakes (1500m) held at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday.
"She's a champion in my eyes,'' Waller said.
"I've been fortunate to train many good horses, I'm qualified to know what one's like, and she is something special.''
Over time, Waller has conditioned stellar performers like Winx, Verry Elleegant, Via Sistina, and Nature Strip, but he first applied the pinnacle accolade to Autumn Glow here, with nobody disputing his assessment.
The unbeaten sensation Autumn Glow, known as racing's "Miss Invincible", offered her finest career effort en route to her 11th consecutive victory.
By toying with opponents comprising eight distinct Group 1 winners, she made a bold claim, almost certainly locking in Horse of the Year status.
A crowd of 15,070 turned out for Slipper Day, witnessing Autumn Glow complete a historic Group 1 hat-trick in back-to-back races for Waller and McDonald on a landmark day highlighted by:
McDonald set a new all-time Group 1 record at 131, overtaking Damien Oliver's 129.
Waller's treble boosted his Group 1 count to 192, nearing the elite 200 only reached by Bart Cummings and Tommy Smith at 246 apiece.
Together, Waller and McDonald have 56 Group 1 strikes, breaking Tommy Smith and George Moore's 54.
Autumn Glow equalled Barakey from Perth with 11-for-11 starts, behind solely Black Caviar's perfect 25, including 15 Group 1s.
This was her third Group 1 – plus Epsom Handicap and Verry Elleegant Stakes wins this term – and added to her Golden Eagle from last spring, exceeding $8 million in earnings.
John Messara of Arrowfield Stud, with over 50 years racing champions, named Autumn Glow the finest he's owned.
"It's for others to say whether Autumn Glow is a champion or not but she's the best racehorse I've had anything to do with,'' Messara said."She does things only champions can do. She has just beaten an outstanding field and beat them easily. I'm lost for words.''
McDonald dominated proceedings at Rosehill, landing a Group 1 treble on Aeliana (Ranvet Stakes), Autumn Boy (Rosehill Guineas), and Autumn Glow (Ryder), an immortal effort."It was evident during the week when Chris (Waller) said you'll see something special in the Ryder, so when he says that, I take notice,'' McDonald said."Her work's been phenomenal. I truly believe she loves fast ground, because there's not a horse that could come with her.
"It doesn't matter what is in the race. She's just got an amazing sustained speed, it's quite incredible what we're witnessing.
"She's the jockey's dream - you get nervous on horses but she's one you don't.''
At $1.28 market leader, Autumn Glow notched Waller's eighth Ryder success, powering home nearly three lengths ahead of Gringotts ($19), with Pericles ($16) close third by a short neck.
The gap might have doubled if McDonald pushed harder, but he eased 100m from the line to bask in the glory.
"Let's not beat around the bush, she's 11 from 11, people are here to see her, and she's got such an amazing following now,'' McDonald said."And it's growing, it's incredible. The feeling you get off these horses, it's special. I thought Anamoe was a big deal. This horse has taken it to a new level.''
Next week, Waller, McDonald, and Messara will confer on Autumn Glow's path to Royal Randwick's Championships, eyeing the $4 million Doncaster Mile (1600m) April 4 or $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) April 11.
TAB Fixed Odds favour the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, trimming Autumn Glow to $1.80 from $3.
"We'll give them (owners) our best opinion of what we think,'' Waller said.
"Look, she just does everything so effortlessly and that'll help her get 2000m.''
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