Saturday Summary: McDonald, Waller and Autumn Glow light up Golden Group 1 day

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Autumn Glow emphatic in George Ryder demolition

Unbeaten superstar mare Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) produced a breathtaking display to extend her perfect record to 11 wins from as many starts, demolishing a high-class field in Saturday’s G1 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill.

Trained by Chris Waller and ridden by James McDonald, Autumn Glow settled midfield before travelling into the race with supreme ease, cruising up under a hold upon entering the straight. When asked for an effort, the response was immediate, as she accelerated clear to put her rivals away with complete authority.

McDonald was emphatic post-race about the mare’s brilliance, revealing he had been expecting a standout performance after being warned during the week by Waller.

“It was evident in the week when Chris said you’ll see something special… her work’s been phenomenal,” he said. “I truly believe she loves fast ground because there’s not a horse that could come with her.

“It doesn’t matter what is in the race. She’s just got an amazing sustained speed… she’s the jockey’s dream - you don’t get nervous on her.”

Waller was equally full of praise, going as far as describing the mare in champion terms while highlighting both the pressure of the lead-up and the ease with which she handled the task at hand.

“I guess the last two were sort of pressure… to get that out of the way and then to deal with a champion in the next race, it’s pretty special,” he said.

“Yeah, in my eyes she is a champion… obviously longevity is the key now. If she keeps doing that, she’ll be a champion for sure.”

The race also marked a significant milestone for McDonald and Waller, combining to secure the first three Group 1 victories on Golden Slipper Day.

Autumn Glow simply outclassed her rivals, forging away to win by 2¾ lengths in a performance that underlined her as arguably the best horse in the country. Gringotts (I Am Invincible) ran on into second alongside Pericles (Street Boss {USA}), but neither could match the sustained acceleration of the winner once she was presented.

Autumn Glow’s performance was accompanied by a moment that captured the scale of her dominance. Despite much of the attention being put onto James McDonald on the day of his record-breaking Group 1 wins, McDonald ensured people took note of who the real star was by pointing down at the mare as they crossed the finish line - gesturing in recognition of the horse underneath him.

Now unbeaten in 11 starts, Autumn Glow is beginning to develop a Winx-like aura, with a growing cult following matching her expanding résumé.

Sales info: Autumn Glow was bred by Newhaven Park and sold as a weanling for $600,000 to Silverdale Farm and Shrone Bloodstock, before topping the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale at $1.8 million, purchased by Arrowfield Pastoral and Hermitage Thoroughbreds.

Pedigree info: One of two individual Group 1 winners from three to race out of South African champion sprinter and multiple G1 winner Via Africa (Var {USA}), Autumn Glow is a three-quarter sister to G1 Golden Rose winner In The Congo. By Arrowfield Stud’s The Autumn Sun, she is one of five individual G1 winners for the stallion.

Aeliana digs deep to deny stablemate in Ranvet thriller

Top line mare Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) proved her class and determination, fighting off a strong challenge from her stablemate to claim Saturday’s G1 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill and hand jockey James McDonald a landmark victory.

Prepared by Chris Waller, Aeliana settled second last in the small field as her stablemate Lindermann (Lonhro) dictated proceedings at a controlled tempo under Nash Rawiller. With the race developing into a sit-and-sprint, it quickly became apparent that timing and toughness would be crucial.

Lindermann kicked strongly on straightening under Nash Rawiller and quickly put a break on his rivals, turning the contest into a genuine test for those chasing. For a few strides, it appeared he may have stolen the race, and while Aeliana loomed ominously to his outside, she was made to work every step of the way.

It didn’t look easy, but she always had him covered.

Under McDonald, Aeliana gradually reeled in her stablemate, her superior class telling late as she edged clear to score by a short neck, with Sir Delius (GB)(Frankel {GB}) running on from the rear into third, a further three-quarters of a length away.

The victory was a significant one for McDonald, bringing up his 129th Group 1 success and drawing him level with the legendary Damien Oliver.

Trainer Chris Waller was quick to praise both the winner and the runner-up, noting the race developed into a true contest between the stablemates.

“She was made to fight for it,” Waller said. “He’s a good horse on his day and I think Nash controlled the race really well. She had to be good to win and obviously Sir Delius on our back, that gave me a bit of a scare when he came with us.

“But you could just see, they sort of broke clear of him and then it was a fight between the stablemates. It didn’t really matter who won but obviously for James today - it’s a big one.”

“That’s pretty special. I’m just lucky to train lots of good horses and have an association with a terrific young man.”

McDonald echoed the sentiment, highlighting Aeliana’s toughness in a race that didn’t pan out ideally.

“She’s just incredible. Her tenacity to find the line was just superb,” he said. “She’s been building to something like that and I’ve got to give credit to the second horse because they made us work. I was thinking, this is not how the script’s supposed to go.

“Nash is a genius when it comes to that. He just gets things on his own terms… it wasn’t ideal, that’s for sure, because he had a picnic up in front. But I was on a good horse and she deservedly won that one.”

Sir Delius (GB) , who was ridden conservatively at the rear following a change in tactics, worked home well into third without ever looking a winning chance. Jockey Craig Williams noted the performance as encouraging heading towards bigger targets, suggesting further improvement to come.

Aeliana now boasts five wins from 17 starts, along with six seconds, and has amassed over $3.5 million in prize money.

Sales info: Aeliana was purchased by Star Thoroughbreds for $180,000 from Rich Hill Stud’s draft in Book 1 of the 2023 Karaka Yearling Sale.

Pedigree info: Aeliana is by Arrowfield stallion Castelvecchio and is out of Star Witness mare Temolie. She is the first foal to race out of Temolie, a placed half-sister to Group 1 winner Invincibella (I Am Invincible), as well as Group 3 winner Secret Blaze (Sizzling) and Listed winner Extreme Flight (Extreme Choice) . Aeliana was bred by Nearco Stud and Rich Hill Thoroughbreds. Temolie was served by Dundeel (NZ) last spring.

Jigsaw fights on bravely to land William Reid Stakes

Consistent 7-year-old Jigsaw (Manhattan Rain) produced a career-defining performance to claim Saturday’s G1 William Reid Stakes at Caulfield, extending his winning streak to six in succession with a determined victory in the 1200-metre feature.

Given a confident ride by Logan Bates, the Cindy Alderson-trained gelding travelled sweetly throughout before digging deep in the final stages to repel a wall of challengers and land his first Australian Group 1 success.

As expected, the race was run at a genuine tempo with early pressure from several runners vying for prominent positions. Jigsaw was able to secure a favourable run in transit, tracking just off the speed before travelling comfortably into the straight. At the furlong, multiple winning chances loomed as a line of horses fanned across the track, but Jigsaw responded resolutely when asked and refused to yield under sustained pressure.

Angel Capital (Harry Angel {Ire}) launched a strong late bid to finish just under half a length away in second, while Devil Night (Extreme Choice) continued to work home soundly to secure third, narrowly ahead of the remainder of the field, who were all in contention at the top of the straight before Jigsaw’s will to win took over late.

The race did not unfold perfectly for pre-race favourite Jimmysstar, who was unable to produce his usual finishing burst after being held up and racing in restricted room for much of the journey, leaving Jigsaw to capitalise on the opportunity.

The performance capped a remarkable preparation, with the gelding now having strung together a sequence of outstanding wins, including his earlier Group 1 success in New Zealand.

Bates was full of praise post-race, highlighting the gelding’s professionalism and evolution with age.

“He’s just an absolute ripper,” Bates said. “He relaxed beautifully, travelled on the bridle, and when the pressure came he really knuckled down. Backing him up was the query, but he handled it brilliantly. It’s a credit to Cindy and the team.”

Trainer Cindy Alderson shared in the emotion of the moment, reflecting on the significance of the victory for both the horse and her stable.

“It’s getting more unbelievable with every run,” Alderson said. “He just keeps stepping up and doing the same thing week after week. To win a Group 1 on home soil is incredibly special for a small stable like ours.”

Alderson also noted the gelding’s consistency and durability, with Jigsaw continuing to deliver at the highest level despite a long and testing preparation. His ability to maintain form and respond under pressure has become a hallmark of his career, and Saturday’s performance further reinforced that reputation.

Saturday’s victory extends Jigsaw’s career earnings close to $3 million with connections now weighing up the next step as they ride the crest of the wave.

Sales info: Bred by Mrs LB Alderson, he is owned by C Alderson and M Price.

Pedigree info: Jigsaw is the fourth Group 1 winner for Manhattan Rain, who is now based in Western Australia, Jigsaw is a half-brother to stakes placed Queen Adele (Adelaide {Ire}). Their dam, Demandz (NZ) (Lonhro), won three times and is a daughter of Listed winner Loaded Command (Commands).

This is also the family of G1 Stradbroke Handicap winning mother and daughter Mid Summer Music (Oamaru Force) and Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard).

Marhoona goes from Golden Slipper to Galaxy

Last year’s Golden Slipper winner Marhoona (Snitzel) added another Group 1 to her record with a courageous victory in Saturday’s G1 Galaxy at Rosehill, prevailing in a blanket finish that went right down to the wire over 1100 metres.

The Michael Freedman trained filly produced a determined on-pace performance to edge out her rivals in a race filled with drama both before and during the event.

The race was marred at the barriers with Grafterburners (Graff) and Reserve Bank (Capitalist) both scratched after an incident prior to the start, reducing the field to just 12.

Once the gates opened, a strongly run contest developed with several runners vying for early positions, setting the race up for a testing finish.

After being momentarily posted wide, Kerrin McEvoy pushed Marhoona forward to settle in second position. Travelling comfortably throughout, she was positioned to strike turning for home as the field bunched behind her.

At the furlong, multiple winning chances emerged, with six runners appearing to have claims as they fanned across the track.

Jedibeel (NZ) (Savabeel) surged late to finish a narrow second, with Mazu (Maurice {Jpn}) continuing his consistent form to grab third, just a short head further back. Another four runners missed out on a place by less than a length in a desperate go to the line.

Marhoona dug deep under pressure, replicating the resolve that carried her to Golden Slipper success the previous year.

Freedman was full of praise for the mare’s fighting qualities post-race.

“I don’t think I’ve had a horse with as much tenacity as she has,” he said. “She looked beaten at the 100 metres but refused to lie down. It was very similar to her Slipper win last year. She’s just a remarkable filly.”

McEvoy echoed those sentiments, admitting he had brief concerns at the top of the straight but was confident of her ability once she began to respond.

“I was a little worried early in the straight, especially on the ground, but the more I asked, the more she kept finding,” McEvoy said. “She’s a proper mare now, and she just keeps lifting when it matters.”

Sales info: Marhoona is a homebred for Emirates Park.

Pedigree info: Marhoona is one of four stakes winners from five to race out of the Encosta de Lago mare Salma, joining Group 2 winner Hilal (Fastnet Rock), and the Listed winners Salateen (I Am Invincible) and Trojan Harbour (Harbour Watch {Ire}).

Treasurethe Moment stamps class on Sunline Stakes

Classy mare Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) stamped her authority on Saturday’s G2 Sunline Stakes at Caulfield, producing a commanding performance to defeat a quality field of fillies and mares over the mile.

Under a confident ride from Daniel Stackhouse, the Matt Laurie-trained galloper settled in the box seat before quickening decisively when the field fanned off the fence, putting the race to bed with a sustained turn of foot.

With Astral Flame (Overshare) rolling forward and Philia (All Too Hard) taking a position outside the leader, the race was run at a solid tempo. Treasurethe Moment enjoyed an economical run just behind the speed, and when the opportunity presented itself turning for home, Stackhouse allowed her to stride up before she asserted her superiority in the straight.

Under hands and heels Treasurethe Moment slide up the inside and went on to defeat Astral Flame by two lengths, with Suntora (Toronado {Ire]) finishing off well a further 0.75 lengths away in third.

Stackhouse was confident pre-race and post-race, crediting the mare’s professionalism and class.

“She travelled beautifully throughout and I knew I was on the best horse in the race,” Stackhouse said. “Once we were able to get off the fence and build momentum, she just did the rest. It’s a pleasure to ride horses like her.”

Trainer Matt Laurie was pleased to see the mare deliver in style after a considered lead-in.

“She’s been extremely consistent her whole career,” Laurie said. “The trip away last start really helped her settle, and she was much more relaxed today. It was great to see her take that next step back in this grade and perform like that.”

Laurie also indicated the performance sets her up nicely for a potential tilt at elite-level targets in the coming weeks, with races such as the Doncaster Mile and Queen Of The Turf Stakes under consideration depending on how she pulls up.

Sales Information: Treasurethe Moment was bred and is raced by Yu Long Investments

Pedigree Information: Treasurethe Moment is the third and sadly the last foal out of Draconic Treasure (USA) (Street Cry {Ire}). She was a winner in America, and her two foals to race have both been winners.

Further back in the family is the G1 Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle (USA) (Theatrical {Ire}) and the four-time Group 1 winner and successful sire Refuse To Bend (Ire).