Saturday Preview: Can Autumn Glow stretch her brilliance out to 2000 metres in the Queen Elizabeth?

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Can the brilliant Autumn Glow remain unbeaten?

The superstar unbeaten mare Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) lines up in Saturday’s G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick, chasing an extraordinary 12 wins from as many starts for champion trainer Chris Waller and regular rider James McDonald.

The key talking point this weekend is the rise to 2000 metres - a trip she tackles for the first time, having previously been kept up to a mile. But if there are any concerns, they’re not shared by her jockey, with McDonald exuding confidence in both the mare’s fitness, class and her untapped potential at the trip.

"At no stage has she given me the feeling that she won't run it," McDonald told racenet.com.

"To be honest we are actually excited by the challenge. Since her 3-year-old season I couldn't wait to see her stretched over a bit further."

That confidence is underpinned by a faultless preparation, with the 4-year-old daughter of The Autumn Sun returning in top order to claim the G2 Apollo Stakes first-up before dominant wins in the G1 Verry Elleegant and G1 George Ryder Stakes over 1600 and 1500 metres respectively.

"She's very, very fit and I think the harder they go on Saturday the more it will suit her."

McDonald’s recent feel for the mare has only strengthened that belief.

"I galloped her at the races last Saturday and she felt like she's trained on really well," McDonald said. "She's got the most economical action and she just covers the ground so well."

Those traits point to a mare ready to peak, and McDonald suggests she’s right on schedule fourth-up.

"At no stage has she given me any indication that she doesn't want the journey. And I still think she's building into the preparation, she's only fourth-up and that's when they are normally at their peak."

For all the history within reach, McDonald remains focused on the task at hand.

"She's got this wonderful record and hopefully she can make it 12 from 12 but for me I've got a job to do so that's the focus.”

As expected in a $5 million feature, depth surrounds her. Sir Delius (GB) (Frankel {GB}) profiles as a major threat stepping to his preferred trip, while Aeliana (Castelvecchio) brings outstanding form alongside the ever-reliable Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai), his toughness, Sydney record and consistency ensures he commands respect.

Treasurethe Moment targets mares’ riches in the Queen of the Turf

Mornington trainer Matt Laurie faced a defining autumn decision with his star mare Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) about a month ago - whether to tackle the G1 Doncaster Mile or wait a week for the G1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes for filles and mares.

Ultimately, patience prevailed and the stunning performance of Sheza Alibi (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) confirmed in his mind that he has pulled the right rein.

"It was going to be the Doncaster or this race, one or the other," Laurie told racingandsports.

"We felt this was a better race to target, particularly with the likes of Sheza Alibi, who before we made our mind up looked like something special, and she clearly confirmed that in the Doncaster."

Avoiding that clash could prove pivotal.

"I think we made the right choice in avoiding her. We've still got a task, but she has been an amazing horse for us and we're returning to Sydney, she's unbeaten there, so hopefully it will stay that way."

The race itself shapes as a high-pressure mile, with the front-runner Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) and the Bjorn Baker-trained Perfumist (NZ) (El Roca) both likely to roll forward and ensure a genuine tempo.

That scenario may suit Laurie’s mare, given her proven stamina.

"She's gotten out to 2000 metres and beyond, she has won two Oaks, so she should be able to sustain a good amount of pressure," Laurie said.

He also pointed to Pride Of Jenni’s last-start effort as a potential leveller.

"Pride Of Jenni's last start effort was outstanding and that big effort can be hard to replicate at times. We'll be hoping she has already produced her best this prep and maybe she can be found out in this race."

With a carefully managed campaign behind her, Treasurethe Moment heads into Saturday in peak order.

"We've made a concerted effort to keep our girl to the mile and only give her a few runs and she's going into the race in really good order."

The depth doesn’t end there, with the Chris Waller-trained Snitzel pair of mares Lady Shenandoah and Lazzura both key chances, while Idle Flyer (Dundeel {NZ}) looks set to enjoy an ideal run under in-form rider Zac Lloyd.

Maher’s trio gives him a strong Sydney Cup hand

Ciaron Maher heads into the G1 Sydney Cup on Saturday at Randwick with a typically strong hand, saddling three runners who all bring genuine claims into the two-mile feature.

Maher has built a formidable record in the race, winning three of the past six editions with Etah James (NZ) (Raise The Flag {GB}), Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}) and Circle Of Fire (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}), and he looks well placed to add to that tally.

Leading his chances is Mr Monaco (GB) (Territories {Ire}), who produced a powerful staying performance to win the G3 NE Manion Cup over 2400 metres despite covering extra ground.

“He came over from Europe and he wasn’t going that well the last preparation and was able to win a race,’’ Maher told racingnsw.

“I always had confidence he would improve a hell of a lot, just physically and in every way.”

Maher also saddles up Juja Kibo (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}), who finished third in that same race, and the ultra-consistent mare Piggyback (Trapeze Artist), giving the stable multiple angles into the contest.

“I didn’t think there was a whole lot between them and I thought with the run Juja Kibo would have had his measure (in the Manion Cup) but he (Mr Monaco) really showed his staying ability,’’ Maher said.

“He covered ground and was the strongest on the line. You can see why he’s the price he is, he’s got no weight and Jamie’s (Melham) in form.”

That performance shapes as ideal grounding for the step to two miles.

“You’d think looking at him and the rest of the field two miles is going suit him as much as anything else.”

Juja Kibo, meanwhile, is expected to strip fitter again.

“I think he is still taking some improvement,’’ Maher said about Juja Kibo.

“The Chairmans might just top him off, he just wasn’t quite there. No doubt he needs to find a bit but he’s had a pretty smooth week and the backup will suit.”

Piggyback rounds out the trio, with Maher noting the mare’s consistency and race pattern could prove advantageous.

“Back to the handicap grade is very much going to suit,’’ he said about Piggyback. “She’s come through a tough run mile and a half and she’s thereabouts as well. I think there’s not a lot between the three.

“Piggyback might get the sweeter run and Zac (Lloyd) seems to be able to win on a broomstick at the moment.”

It shapes as an open edition, with Campaldino (NZ) (Ghibellines) a key player for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, while Soul Of Spain (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}) brings Weight-for-age form. Litzdeel (Dundeel {NZ}) also profiles strongly, particularly given her pedigree as a half-sister to Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}).

Can Profoundly deliver an Oaks for the Freedmans?

A fascinating runner in Saturday’s G1 Australian Oaks at Randwick is the Michael Freedman-trained Profoundly (Farnan), a filly whose story is as compelling as her recent form.

Purchased for just $65,000 by his brother Lee Freedman, Profoundly has quickly developed into a genuine staying prospect. Now trained by Michael, she remains part-owned by Hall of Famer Lee, who initially sourced her and oversaw her early education before transitioning into a Gold Coast stable manager role last July.

While her pedigree might not immediately scream 2400 metres, her performance last start suggested otherwise. The Farnan filly showcased her staying credentials with an impressive victory in the G3 Adrian Knox Stakes over 2000 metres at Randwick.

"I bought her when I was training for $65,000," Lee Freedman told racingadsports0

. "Then when I turned it up, I was looking for a good trainer, and my brother rang me."

That Adrian Knox win also silenced some doubts around the strength of her previous run.

"I was really happy that the form from Kembla worked out, because a lot of people were saying it was slowly run and it wouldn't be good form. But I just knew that this filly had improvement to come, and we'd never run her over a mile-and-a-quarter. All she wanted to do was stay."

Michael Freedman has kept things deliberately quiet since that performance, opting for a conservative approach into Saturday.

"She's had a very steady week," he told media earlier in the week.

"I haven't asked anything of her since Saturday other than going out and stretching her legs."

Her condition has pleased the stable, with key indicators pointing the right way.

"She seems very bright and has certainly done well. She didn't lose any body weight from her run on Saturday and that's usually a good indicator. All the indications are she's going to back up fine, but you never know until you run them."

The challenge rises again, with Ohope Wins (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) - a proven G1 New Zealand Oaks winner at the trip, looming as the benchmark. The Dominic Sutton-trained pair After Summer (The Autumn Sun) and Classic Gem (Maurice {Jpn}) also bring strong staying form from last spring’s G1 Victorian Oaks run over 2500 metres and looks good each-way chances.