Saturday summary: Autumn Glow gives the ‘ooh la la feeling’ yet again

Cover image courtesy of Sportpix

Autumn Glow stamps herself a superstar with Golden Eagle triumph

Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) continued her meteoric rise on the Australian turf, claiming victory in the $10 million Golden Eagle at Royal Randwick on Saturday. The 4-year-old mare, unbeaten in eight career starts, surged to a comfortable one and a quarter length win over Sepals (Calyx {GB}), with Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) holding on for third.

Her unbeaten streak now puts her in the rarefied company – with comparisons already being made with Chris Waller’s former world champion Winx (Street Cry {Ire}), who captured the nation’s imagination with her historic 33 consecutive race wins.

Ridden by James McDonald, Autumn Glow demonstrated class and composure over the 1500 metres, handling testing conditions with ease. James McDonald positioned the mare perfectly, three wide with cover before she quickly slipped into an ominous position up on the outside coming into the straight. She quickly hit the front and despite momentarily being challenged by Sepals inside the final furlong, Autumn Glow found another gear to race clear late.

Trainer Chris Waller praised the mare’s talent and determination.

“She is a star,” Waller said.

“It is as simple as that. She does it each and every time. There is nothing that shows us that much at home. That heart and determination and presence that she has is really quite special.”

“Today’s race was tricky. We could see the track was hard to get a handle on. Some horses aren’t getting through the going as well as you would like. Horses on pace were dominating. We knew we had to be a bit closer and they were running fast through the mid-stages. James was at her to stay with them. For her to come out as Darren Flindell said to ‘open the shoulders’ was pretty special to watch.”

James McDonald echoed the trainer’s admiration.

“She gives me that oohla la feeling. I don't think we've seen the best version of her yet either. So just incredible. We’re so lucky to have her. She can be out on her feet and she just keeps finding. She's incredible, I'm telling you. She is fair dinkum,” McDonald said.

On what many described as her first real acid test in tough conditions, McDonald added, “She knew she was out there today. That was her first run where she really had an acid test put to her and she came through it well, but she's done a great job. She's incredible.”

The win cements Autumn Glow’s status as the new top-seed for Waller's star-studded stable, with the team already eyeing future big-race opportunities.

“Chris Waller is a genius, he'll work it out. I don't really need to tell him where he wants to put her, but God, I'd love to see her in a Cox Plate,” McDonald said.

With her record now 8-for-8 and earnings of almost $7 million, Autumn Glow looks set to capture the imagination of racing fans nationwide, hinting at a new era of Australian turf superstars and carrying the promise of greatness akin to the legendary Winx.

Pedigree info: Autumn Glow is by The Autumn Sun out of Via Africa (Saf) (Var {USA}). She is a three-quarter sister to Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes winner and exciting young sire In The Congo.

Sales info: Bred by Newhaven Park Stud, Autumn Glow was sold as a weanling to Silverdale Farm and Shrone Bloodstock for $600,000. She later sold at the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $1.8 million to Arrowfield’s John Messara and partners Hermitage.

Pride Of Jenni stuns again with Empire Rose masterclass

Pride Of Jenni (Pride of Dubai) added yet another breathtaking performance to her stunning career in the G1 Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington on Saturday, proving that age is no barrier for one of Australia’s greatest mares.

In typical ‘Jenni style’, the eight-year-old led her rivals by more than 10 lengths mid-race and surged home to win comfortably under Declan Bates, with New Zealand star Leica Lucy (NZ) (Derryn) only managing to get wthin four and a half lengths back in second, with On Display (Fastnet Rock) a neck further back in third.

Ridden with supreme confidence by Bates, Pride Of Jenni’s relaxed start belied the sheer dominance she would display over the mile.

“She cantered around to the gates so relaxed which is actually a bit unlike her so I was a bit unsure coming around, but after a hundred metres in the race I knew we were winning,” Bates said.

“She got to her top nicely and kept extending every time I asked, I just knew there was nothing that could run us down.”

The mare’s performance marked a return to the form that saw her crowned Australia’s Champion Racehorse of the Year in 2023-24, following her previous Empire Rose Stakes triumph and multiple Group 1 victories.

“She was retired, I was sacked, and that was all good, everyone was OK, but to be standing here, winning another Group 1 is making me emotional,” he said.

Trainer Ciaron Maher was equally moved, praising both the mare and the team behind her.

“Ecstatic, and appreciative and respectful. Just an amazing horse. To continually do what she does, she never ceases to amaze me,” Maher said.

“I can’t thank the team, Dec, he’s a beautiful guy, rides her fantastic, Tony, fair play to him… the mare’s happy, she’s sound and doing what she loves, there’s nothing better, winning a Group One. I just want to give her a pat and a hug and slap Dec on the back.”

With another Group 1 victory added to her extraordinary career, Pride Of Jenni has once again confirmed her place among Australia’s true turf legends. Her record now stands at 42 starts for 12 wins and just shy of $11.5 million in prizemoney.

Pedigree info: Pride Of Jenni is by Coolmore stallion Pride of Dubai out of Sancerre (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}), a daughter of Group 1 Queensland Oaks winner Vouvray (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}). She is the best of two winners from her dam and was bred by Trelawney Stud.

Sales info: Purchased for $100,000 by Tony and Lynn Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Stud at the 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale from the Segenhoe Stud draft.

No Ka Ying, no problem for Jimmysstar in Russell Balding Stakes

After a big effort running second to Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) in the $20 million G1 The Everest, Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) showcased a scintillating performance at Randwick, sneaking up the rail before coming off heels to challenge and power past Mazu (Maurice {Jpn}) to claim a dominant victory in the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes.

In The Everest, Jimmysstar was ridden aggressively against his usual pattern to unsettle Ka Ying Rising but this time Ethan Brown opted for a more conservative approach. Tracking along the inside for much of the race, Jimmysstar timed his run perfectly, accelerating past Mazu and drawing clear to win by two and three-quarter lengths. Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) finished strongly for second, with Mazu holding on for third.

The victory marked another chapter in an already stellar career for Jimmysstar, who now boasts ten wins from 22 starts and earnings of over $6 million, including Group 1 victories in the All Aged Stakes and Oakleigh Plate.

Trainer Ciaron Maher praised the consistent performances of Jimmysstar at the highest level this preparation.

“It was well deserved obviously. He has been running big races all prep. His run in The Everest was huge. To back it up two weeks later, after such a big run, it was not easy to do. He is such a tough horse. It was a very good ride from Ethan.”

The Russell Balding Stakes carried a total prizemoney pool of $3 million, with $1.725 million going to the winner. In addition, horses that ran in The Everest, Sydney Stakes, or The Kosciuszko were eligible for the Sportsbet Multi Bonus. Jimmysstar, as a runner from The Everest, picked up an extra $700,000 on top of the winner’s share – an amazing incentive for the best sprinters to stay in Sydney.

“The inside has been a bit off. He was about to stay in the right part of the track without losing momentum. Well deserved for the horse. He keeps getting better. He has raced on soft tracks in the past but not that rain affected. A great thrill to get a big bonus today. A lot of good money in Sydney.”

Jockey Ethan Brown highlighted the gelding’s maturity and turn of foot.

“I love this horse so much. He's a beauty and he's just matured and he knows what it's about. Once we found our spot, he had a beautiful resting run on a good speed and just had to trust his finish. That's what I said to the team and everyone was aware of that. That's what he can do and he certainly showed his true colours today.”

Sales info: Jimmysstar was bred by Pete and Chrissy Algie in partnership with Little Avondale Stud’s Sam and Catriona Williams. The Williamses and the Algies remain part of the ownership group.

Pedigree info: Jimmysstar is by Per Incanto (USA) out of Anniesstar (Zed), a five-time winner including the Listed Feilding Gold Cup (2100m). Anniesstar has produced three named foals, all winners, including Charms Star (NZ), a G3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes winner and dual Oaks-placed filly.

Warnie breaks through as Bennett Racing quinella the G2 Damien Oliver

After a series of unlucky near-misses, Warnie (Ire) (Highland Reel {Ire}) finally delivered his first Australian stakes victory in the $500,000 G2 Damien Oliver at Flemington on Derby Day, swooping late under Mark Zahra to claim a hard-fought win by half a length over stablemate Zou Sensation (Zoustar), giving Bennett Racing a memorable quinella.

The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding had previously run into misfortune on several occasions. Last start he was second behind turf star Private Eye (Al Maher) in the G3 Moonga Stakes, while prior to that he was narrowly beaten in the Paris Lane Stakes, finishing fourth just over a length off Media World (Written Tycoon).

Earlier in the season, Warnie (Ire) ran third in the G2 Moreton Cup at Eagle Farm and was beaten less than half a length in the Listed Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford. Across all these runs, it was his style of racing, often held up or flashing late, that denied him the victory.

At Flemington, everything aligned. Zahra settled Warnie in a tracking position behind the pace set by Zou Sensation before peeling out at the top of the straight. With clear running, Warnie powered down the long Flemington straight to claim the lead in the final stages. The unlucky, Enxuto (Lean Mean Machnine) closed strongly to finish just over a length behind the winner.

“It’s just sensational!” Nathan Bennett said.

“Warnie has been a very unlucky horse, but today everything went right. Zou Sensation has been incredible too – to quinella a big race on Derby Day is just huge for our team.

“Warnie just needed a race to fall his way. The pace and the ride were perfect, and he let down beautifully. To see both our horses finish one-two is fantastic for everyone involved.”

Maher was thrilled for connections and paid tribute to work done by the Bennett syndications team.

“He just needs things to go his way – he needs pace on and he has that really good turn of foot when he gets it,” Maher said.

“It was a perfect ride by Mark and the race just set up beautifully. He can really let go and he has been building up to a race like this. It is fantastic for Nathan Bennett and his team, to quinella a big race on Derby Day is a credit to them.”

Warnie's record now stands at 4 wins from 17 starts with prizemoney just shy of $700,000.

Sales info: Warnie was purchased from the 2023 Tattersalls 2yo Horses In Training Sale by Bennett Racing and Blandford Bloodstock for 65,000gns (AU$136,960).

Pedigree info: Warnie is from winning dam Cumbfree (Ire), a daughter of English 2000 Guineas winner and successful sire Footstepinthesand (GB) . She is a half-sister to French Listed winner On Call Now (GB) (Acclamation {GB}).

Caballus brings the form south to claim the G3 Rising Fast Stakes

After flashing home from the tail to finish fifth, beaten just over a length, in the $2 million Sydney Stakes, Caballus (I Am Invincible) brought that sharp form south to Flemington on Derby Day, producing a polished and powerful display to claim the G3 G.H. Mumm Rising Fast Stakes.

The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding, the subject of solid market support to start the $4.20 favourite, was given a patient and confident ride by Tommy Berry. Tracking the early tempo set by Star Patrol (Starspangledbanner), Berry peeled out at the 300m mark and unleashed Caballus, who sprinted powerfully down the straight to claim a decisive victory.

The win marked two victories from three starts since being gelded, with Caballus now shaping as a serious sprinter for the future. It also gave Berry his second win from the first three races on the Flemington card, after steering Panova (Trapeze Artist) to success in the Carbine Club Stakes for Chris Waller earlier in the day.

“When we found the back of the horse in the market, Star Patrol, after a furlong and a half - all the stars aligned,” Berry said.

“He was able to take me up until we joined the course proper and I just popped him out to get a bit of air. He got a little lost at the furlong but when I pulled the stick through to the right he went into another gear and was too strong.”

“It was great to get another winner for Darby and Baker, we don’t do it very often, but when we do we are usually victorious.”

Formerly Coolmore-owned and Chris Waller-trained, Caballus was purchased by Darby Racing for $315,000 via the Inglis Online Auctions in late 2023. He had previously won the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes in February of last year. However, when his form gradually tapered off after that win, connections made the tough decision to geld him. Since then, the gelding has thrived under Baker’s care, with the Rising Fast triumph marking his fifth career victory and third stakes win from 16 starts, and total prizemoney now nearing $800,000.

For Baker, the win added further depth to an already strong carnival showing, while for Darby Racing, it continued their remarkable run of success with tried horses trained from the Warwick Farm stable.

Chasing gallantly, Geegees Mistruth (Wordsmith) finished a length back in second, while Bosustow (Blue Point {Ire}) closed strongly to grab third, a further length and three-quarters from the winner. Star Patrol, who rolled forward to control the race, weakened noticeably over the final 200m to finish near the tail.

Sale info: Raced by Coolmore and partners initially, Caballus was a $1 million Inglis Easter purchase for Tom Magnier from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft.

Pedigree info: Bred by Reg Ryan, he is the best of five winners from five to race from Group 3-placed mare Calming Influence (Commands), a daughter of stakes-winner Calming (Zeditave).

Calming Influence has a yearling filly by Ole Kirk and produced a filly by Zoustar this Spring.

Caballus is the sixth stakes-winner this season for Yarraman Park’s champion sire I Am Invincible.