Autumn Glow primed for King Charles III Stakes challenge
Kerrin McEvoy, who warmed the saddle for James McDonald, has given his tick of approval to Autumn Glow ahead of her primary campaign goal, the King Charles III Stakes at Randwick.
With McDonald occupied at Caulfield for the Guineas meeting, McEvoy partnered the star mare in a 1000m solo exhibition gallop at Rosehill between races and was pleased with her readiness.
"Lovely. She's got a great attitude, which we know," McEvoy remarked. "She's a pleasure to deal with, and she put forward some nice work, so she's in good form."
Autumn Glow was kept under control during the gallop, covering 1000m in 1:05.99, with her final 600m split in 36.18 seconds.
This marked her first public appearance since clinching the Seven Sunrise Stakes (1600m) following her initial triumph in the Winx Stakes (1400m). According to trainer Chris Waller's assistant, Charlie Duckworth, the stable chose a track gallop over a barrier trial.
The team has no concerns about the five-year-old mare entering the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) with a month between runs, attributing this confidence to her natural athleticism. They also confirmed that the $5 million Everest day feature has been a long-term target.
"She moved well, pulled up clean in the wind, so she ticked every box we wanted ticked," Duckworth explained. "In terms of holding her fitness levels, those elite horses do tend to hold their fitness a bit easier than others because of their natural aerobic capacity. This is the main race that has been targeted for the preparation, so we haven't left a stone unturned. Fingers crossed we can get a nice draw, and it sets up nicely for us."
Duckworth added that the stable was unlikely to field another contender for the King Charles Stakes, although this could change if nominations were sparse. Autumn Glow is scheduled for one final sharp piece of work this week to sharpen her for Saturday's competition, where she will face the reigning King Charles titleholder Ceolwulf and the prominent frontrunner Pride Of Jenni. Pride Of Jenni's inclusion was a recent development, as the race was not initially on her spring racing agenda.
Consider the leading online bookmakers for the King Charles III Stakes; find great racing odds at online bookmakers.
More Racing News
Chris Waller's Caulfield Cup Field Yet to Be Finalised
Track gallops and prevailing weather conditions will be key factors in determining the final lineup for trainer Chris Waller's Caulfield Cup contenders.Currently, six of the 34 horses remaining in contention for the 150th running of the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday are under Waller's care. Horses confirmed to be in...
Formal Display's impressive form continues towards The Big Dance
The reputation of Formal Display as one of racing's most rapidly improving horses was further enhanced by a characteristically gritty win in the Group 3 $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.Having begun the year competing in a humble benchmark 78 event, Formal Display has maintained...
Lady Shenandoah triumphs in the Toorak Handicap
The dominant duo of trainer Chris Waller and jockey James McDonald has reached a milestone of 66 Group 1 wins together, courtesy of Lady Shenandoah's impressive victory in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield.Following McDonald's advice, Waller opted to send Lady Shenandoah to Melbourne for the 1600m Group 1 Handicap on...
King and Warwoven dominate Caulfield Guineas
Warwoven has further pressed his credentials as Australia's leading colt with a superb victory in the $3 million Group 1 Caulfield Guineas on Saturday.The Bjorn Baker-trained star validated his commanding Golden Rose win, overcoming the best 1600-metre three-year-olds Victoria had to offer in his Melbourne debut.He now joins the elite...
Attrition triumphs over Lindermann in the Hill Stakes
Mitchell Freedman, the young trainer, declared 'it's what you do it for' as his tough campaigner Attrition battled past fellow war horse Lindermann to secure his second victory in the $2 million Hill Stakes.Attrition, who won the Group 2 feature in 2024 and finished second to Lindermann twelve months prior,...
Land Legend delivers shock Might And Power victory
The Might And Power Stakes has lived up to its reputation as a punting pitfall, with another favourite failing to salute at Caulfield.The $1.40 elect, Sheza Alibi, was the latest to fall in the Group 1 2000m weight-for-age race on Saturday, a fate that befell Treasurethe Moment ($1.60) last year,...
Satono Glow's Roman Consul Stakes triumph eyes Coolmore Stud Stakes
Satono Glow made it a hat-trick of feature race victories for three-year-old fillies against the colts when she finished with exceptional closing speed to win the Group 2 $300,000 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.Under the training of John O'Shea and Tom Charlton, Satono Glow conceded hot...
Chuchichaschtli shines in Tapp-Craig win
Michael Hawkes has been managing his anticipation for Chuchichaschtli for close to half a year, but he was free to express it fully after she secured a stakes victory at just her second career appearance.The Exceedance filly, whose distinctive name translates from Swiss-German to mean kitchen cupboard, demonstrated her considerable...
Proxima Dea digs deep for another win
David Payne's charge, Proxima Dea, upheld her flawless record with a victory that defied conventional racing logic.The small filly navigated a four-wide path from the 600-metre mark, briefly took the lead upon straightening, only to be challenged. She then demonstrated remarkable resilience, fighting back to reclaim a slender advantage at...
Waller's Pinhole eyes Melbourne Cup path after Herbert Power Stakes success
Pinhole has secured a berth in the Caulfield Cup following his triumph in the Herbert Power Stakes, although trainer Chris Waller is leaning towards a different staying challenge for the imported galloper.The four-year-old secured the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) on Saturday, with connections immediately setting their sights on...