Racing
Waller says Autumn Glow is ready for 2000m test
Chris Waller is becoming increasingly confident Autumn Glow will stay a strong 2000m as the super mare attempts to complete her perfect season in the Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick next Saturday.
Unbeaten Autumn Glow has won all her seven starts during the 2025-26 season and will secure Horse of the Year honours if she claims her fourth Group 1 win.
Waller said his confidence levels about Autumn Glow staying a strong 2000m are "pretty good".
The Hall of Fame trainer cited Autumn Glow's versatility and ability to relax in her races as solid indicators the mare will run the Queen Elizabeth Stakes trip.
"She can bounce (out of the barriers) and put herself where she needs to be, but she can be ridden conservatively if she needs to be.
"By being so versatile it gives me the confidence she is going to switch off and relax.
"Comparing her to other horses, Via Sistina could get quite keen in the run, Verry Elleegant was quite aggressive.
"So, with Autumn Glow being able to conserve energy it is a big plus.''
Autumn Glow had an exhibition gallop between races at Royal Randwick last Saturday as Waller fine-tunes her preparation for the Queen Elizabeth, the feature race on Day Two of The Championships.
"We want to have her pretty fit for next week, so we have ticked another box,'' Waller said.
"She had a good workout, she was very clean in the wind and is fit to run a strong 2000m.
"My horses do a bit (too) well three weeks between runs so I like to give them an exhibition gallop.''
Waller said Autumn Glow will have one more fast trackwork gallop either Tuesday or Wednesday morning to complete her preparation for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Waller could have as many as four starters in Sydney's premier autumn carnival weight-for-age race with Aeliana, Lindermann and Wootton Verni likely to take on stablemate Autumn Glow.
Aeliana has won successive Group 1 weight-for-age races going into the Queen Elizabeth Stakes after defeating Lindermann in the Ranvet Stakes then backing up a week later to win the Tancred Stakes following a stirring struggle with English star Dubai Honour.
"If I am happy with her this week then on Tuesday morning I will accept.''
Lindermann made Aeliana work hard to run him down in the Ranvet Stakes and deserves his chance in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, according to Waller.
"The (weather) forecast (this week) is pretty good so that is ideal for Lindermann,'' the trainer explained.
"Wootton Verni won the Neville Sellwood Stakes last start and probably runs as well. Barnavara is still in the stable but I think she will go for a spell.''
The Queen Elizabeth field will likely include both of English maestro William Haggas's raiders, Dubai Honour and Caviar Heights (second in the Neville Sellwood Stakes), trainer Adrian Bott confirmed Sir Delius as a certain starter but stablemate Vauban is likely to be reserved for a Queensland carnival campaign.
Ciaron Maher's Australian Cup winner Light Infantry Man will take on Autumn Glow and others but stablemate Pride Of Jenni is likely to line up in the Group 1 $1 million Queen of the Turf Stakes (1600m).
Waller led in a Group 1 brace from Campione D'Italia (Inglis Sires) and Royal Ascot-bound Joliestar (TJ Smith Stakes) last Saturday and will have a powerful presence in all four Group 1 races on Day Two of The Championships.
"River Of Stars is our number one seed,'' Waller said. "She ran fourth in the Melbourne Cup.
"But Soul Of Spain ran ok in the Tancred and will appreciate two miles.
"Valiant King ran third in the Caulfield Cup and didn't get a lot go his way in the Melbourne Cup but he is ready for the two miles.''
Lady Shenandoah and Lazzura give the Waller stable two leading chances against the magnificent front-runner Pride Of Jenni in the Queen of the Turf Stakes.
"Lady Shenandoah is ready for a mile now. She was still a bit keen in the George Ryder Stakes but now she has had that 1500m run, this race will suit her well.''
Waller will also have Ohope Wins and Soverato in the Group 1 $1 million ATC Australian Oaks (2400m).
New Zealand Oaks winner Ohope Wins had her first start for the Waller stable when fourth in the Vinery Stud Stakes and the trainer believes the step up to 2400m will suit the filly next Saturday.
"It's an open year for three-year-old fillies and that race will bring her on a bit,'' Waller said of Ohope Wins.
"There wasn't much between first and fourth (less than a length) the other day.
"Soverato ran well in the Adrian Knox Stakes (second to Profoundly) and she will back up if she has a good week.''
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