Racing
Autumn Glow extends winning streak to six
The Epsom Handicap remains the carnival goal for Autumn Glow following another stunning win.
Her stable regard her as the best horse in the country not to have won a Group One race and it seems only a matter of time before Autumn Glow sheds that tag after another breathtaking performance at Rosehill.
The four-year-old notched her sixth win in succession in Saturday's Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill to remain unbeaten and is on her way to following the path blazed by Winx, who captured the corresponding race 10 years ago before taking out the Epsom Handicap (1600m).
Chris Waller's assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said the handicapper's assessment would ultimately determine whether Autumn Glow pressed onto the Epsom, but the feature Randwick mile was their goal at this stage.
"She's got to be the best horse in training who is yet to win a Group One, which is the one thing that's missing off her resume, but I'm sure that will come," Duckworth said.
"The target was the Epsom so it will be interesting to see what weight she gets in that.
"She is still very lightly raced and continuing to improve. What her optimum distance is is still yet to be seen. She has got endless gears."
Autumn Glow settled third for Kerrin McEvoy and began to improve into the race on the home turn.
Eventual runner-up General Salute ($8) did a good job to go with her for the first part of the straight before Autumn Glow ($1.30 fav) lengthened again, cruising to a 2-1/4 length victory with New Zealand Pier ($6.50) running on for third another 1-3/4 lengths away.
"She must have almost given Kerrin a fright how quickly she quickened up around the home turn. She is just electric," Duckworth said.
"I don't think he even asked her, I think he might have just been thinking about asking her and then she took off."
When asked whether he thought Autumn Glow would be better suited to the mile of an Epsom Handicap or brought back in distance for The Everest (1200m), McEvoy was convinced she could do either.
"I think she'll stay further but she's got a motor as well," McEvoy said.
"I'm sure Chris and the team will make the right call. Probably a mile because then I might be a chance to ride her."
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