Autumn Glow show goes on as champion cruises past $12 million

Champion trainer Chris Waller marvelled at the athleticism and natural brilliance of Autumn Glow after she cruised to a two-and-a-quarter-length win in the $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1609m).

The five-year-old mare, Australia’s horse champion of last season and a $1.26 favourite, went to 14 wins in 15 starts and beyond $12.8 million in earnings, holding off a brief challenge from Ceolwulf to sprint clear under James McDonald.

“I was watching Ceolwulf and I was watching it with Darren [Beadman] and I said, ‘Oh, are we in trouble?’ And he said, ‘No’,” Waller recounted.

It was a straightforward win after “an interesting week” in which Waller adjusted Autumn Glow’s training to prepare for front-running hero Pride Of Jenni, which was scratched on Thursday with a leg infection.

“Her work’s been fantastic and she’s just an absolute professional,” Waller said.

“We asked to do a little bit more work this a week, expecting a wet track, expecting solid speed in the race. She just took it all in a stride, and she’s come out and done that today.

“But I don’t think it really matters how you train her … she could train herself.”

Autumn Glow appears likely race on to the Champions Mile at Flemington in two weeks.

It capped a big day for part-owners Arrowfield, which won the $2 million Kosciuszko with Chains Of Love.

Randwick trainer Michael Freedman was looking to the $10 Golden Eagle (1500m) with $26 hope Apocalyptic after the mare lifted late to down top fancies Skyhook and Beiewacht in the $1 million Silver Eagle (1300m).

The MyRacehorse talent came down the outside under Tommy Berry to beat Skyhook by a short neck, with Beiwacht a neck further back, giving her a first win since claiming the group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) a year ago.

“It’s really satisfying because for the last six to 12 months, she has been going as well as she was 12 months ago at home, but on race day she has been doing a few things wrong,” Freedman said.

“She’s been in a little bit of a mood and doing that hanging business up the straight, so we changed her gear around and put some visors on, a lugging bit on. It’s just great to see her back to what I know she’s capable of.”

“I can’t see any reason why we wouldn’t have a crack at a race like that because she is one of the better horses I’ve ever had anything to do with,” he said.