Rarely does a debutante have the likes of Chris Waller and John Messara talking in superlatives, but that is exactly what Autumn Glow has managed after kicking off her career with a breathtaking win.
Starting a solidly backed $3.10 second elect with bookmakers, the filly travelled on the bridle throughout and swept straight past her Schweppes Handicap (1300m) rivals to cruise to a 2-1/2 length win over Dawn Service ($2.40 fav), with Iron Hawk ($17) another 1-3/4 lengths away.
An absolutuely glowing win on debut to Autumn Glow at Rosehill!
@G1TySchil @cwallerracing pic.twitter.com/VANHE1rtD6 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 17, 2024
Messara, who stands Autumn Glow’s sire The Autumn Sun at Arrowfield Stud, said he was so taken by the filly as a yearling that he broke his budget to buy her.
“I’ve never paid $1.8 million for a yearling before, that’s how much we thought of her,” Messara said.
“She was a magnificent yearling, and I just had to have her.
“We knew she was good. We have felt she was well above average for some time so it’s a relief to see her win so well on debut.”
The usually conservative Waller was just as upbeat.
Autumn Glow vindicated his decision to scratch her from the Randwick-Kensington meeting on Wednesday in preference for the harder Rosehill assignment.
The champion trainer has no doubt she will measure up to much better races, nominating the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) as the most logical target provided she can continue to cope with her first racing preparation.
“Some horses can cope better, some can take the next step,” Waller said.
“We would love to get her to the Flight Stakes if we can, but only if we can.
“We have not had her up to top speed at home….But everything she has done has been very special, including her first trial when she wasn’t asked to do anything and still won it.
“She is still six to 12 months away, so it’s exciting going forward.
“You can see something special in her.”
Tyler Schiller had the debut ride on Autumn Glow at just 52.5kg and said she felt like a filly who would run at least a mile.
He also indicated he had barley scratched the surface with her.
“I didn’t have to go through all her gears. She had plenty left and is a very nice filly going forward,” Schiller said.
Autumn Glow is a three-quarter sister to Group 1 Golden Rose winner In The Congo and was the highest-priced filly sold at last year’s Inglis Easter Sale.