Autumn Glow faces uncharted territory at Flemington
Chris Waller's talented mare Autumn Glow faces a significant change of scenery as she prepares for the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, where she will race in a new direction.
In her 15 starts to date, the five-year-old has exclusively competed in races run clockwise, a style commonly referred to as 'the Sydney way'.
Her upcoming engagement in the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington will see her tackle the 'Melbourne way' for the very first time, marking her debut run outside of Sydney.
"It is her first time in Victoria but she has done a lot of work left-handed in Sydney," Waller confirmed.
"She had a gallop at Flemington on Tuesday morning with James McDonald aboard and he said she got on the right legs at the right time and felt great.
"She pulled up very clean in her wind and with this the final run in her prep I hope she runs well."
With plans for a 2027 Royal Ascot campaign now postponed, Waller's focus is firmly on her current preparation, and while he plans meticulously, the mare's performance in a new direction remains a point of keen observation.
"You never really know until under race pressure," Waller commented.
"But she is such a professional and everything she does seems to be professional. If she was a person, she takes everything very seriously.
"When game day is on, she is in the zone. Even in her trackwork. She's quite remarkable."
The track at Flemington offers some familiar characteristics that Waller believes will aid Autumn Glow's transition, drawing parallels to Sydney's Randwick.
"I think it is very forgiving, Flemington," Waller added.
"It is a natural place for horses to race. They get on the left leg on the bend and they change to the right leg in the straight.
"It is a very natural way and Sydney horses tend to adjust well to Flemington better than any other track."
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