Autumn Glow Aims to Stay Perfect in Verry Elleegant After Apollo Win

Autumn Glow will attempt to extend an unbeaten record to 10 straight when she heads to the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes over 1600 metres at Randwick Racecourse on Saturday. The The Autumn Sun mare, trained by Chris Waller and to be ridden by James McDonald from barrier three, resumed this preparation with a dominant 2.66-length victory in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes on February 14 and enters the 28 February race 9-for-9 in her career.

Chris Waller will wield enormous influence in the Verry Elleegant with seven of the nine final acceptors saddled from his stable as he chases a record-extending 12th victory in the event formerly known as the Chipping Norton Stakes. Waller’s recent winners in this race include Via Sistina, Verry Elleegant and Winx, underscoring the stable’s historical dominance at Royal Randwick. Waller said, “I don’t know where her ceiling is and that is exciting. We keep referring to Winx and we didn’t expect her to keep going (33 wins in a row). We are taking it one race at a time because racing can level you very quickly.”

McDonald, who is booked to partner Autumn Glow at weight-for-age level, acknowledged the wider team around the mare. “It's exciting for everyone involved. Her fans. Trainer Chris. Chris Harwood who rides her every morning. Myself. Her strapper Tshepiso Moagi. I've probably left a few out,” McDonald said, highlighting the coordinated preparation behind the short-priced favourite.

Market sentiment reflects that confidence with TAB installing Autumn Glow at $1.30 and Ladbrokes around $1.35, the shortest-price favourite for this race since Winx. The nine-horse field includes Ceolwulf and Sir Delius as the main dangers on paper, with market listings of Ceolwulf at $12 and Lindermann at $16. Races are scheduled with the Verry Elleegant to jump as Race 8 at 4:40 pm AEDT.

Sir Delius, a Frankel entire campaigned by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, reunites with Craig Williams after back-to-back Group 1 wins in the Underwood and Turnbull Stakes last preparation and a first-up second in the Chelmsford Stakes. Adrian Bott reported, “He (Sir Delius) has had three trials, and we are very pleased with him. Naturally, he is going to improve with race fitness. His main targets are the 2000m Group 1 races, the Ranvet Stakes and Queen Elizabeth Stakes,” while admitting this weekend looks a tough task against Autumn Glow.

Ceolwulf, a Tavistock five-year-old prepared by Joe Pride, returns from finishing sixth in the Apollo, five lengths behind Autumn Glow, and will be ridden by Chad Schofield from gate two. “Joe Pride has admitted that Ceolwulf is likely to need some significant rainfall in the lead-up to Saturday if he is to beat Autumn Glow in the 1,600-meter (about 1-mile) Verry Elleegant,” a stable report noted, underlining how conditions could shape the race.

Race day will also feature Australian Turf Club activations, including on-course promotions and hospitality experiences aimed at showcasing Autumn Glow to fans. A win for the mare would not only make her 10-for-10 and keep talk of emulating Black Caviar alive but would also further Waller’s quest for a 12th Verry Elleegant Stakes triumph.