Autumn Glow (+110) has cruised to victory in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, keeping her undefeated record intact while securing favouritism for the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m).
James McDonald took all luck out of the equation from barrier eight, electing to go and sit outside the leader, with the Michael Freedman-trained Manaal (+260) forced to lead in a race devoid of a natural leader.
It allowed the pair to stride out under steady sectionals throughout the 1400m, while Ameena (+900) was dragged back to avoid a speed battle from barrier nine.
Lazzura (+1200) got a lovely spot behind the leading pair, while the well-supported Snow In May (+1200) got into a good rhythm towards the inside running rail.
As soon as McDonald pulled the persuader in the home staright, there was only one horse you wanted to be on, with Autumn Glow building the revs to career away from her rivals in the concluding stages, leaving Snow In May, Manaal and Lazzura to battle out the minor money.
Chris Waller was pleased with the adaptability she showed on Saturday, ridden out of her comfort zone to score impressively.
“We rode her a little bit closer today,” said Waller.
“There were no instructions. We just said to James, ‘Make sure she’s happy and comfortable,’ and James said, ‘She’s got a beautiful action (and) I’m not going to take it away from her. So just have her comfortable, and that’s what he did.
“She’s probably a little bit foreign in that territory, but she’s all class. And if we get a perfect draw in the flight stakes, we can go back to riding her where we need to if she’s comfortable.
“She’s improving with each run, being trained that way. We’ve got one race to go. I don’t think we’ll go too far beyond that.”
James McDonald was impressed with the feel she gave him throughout and suggested there was still plenty of upside.
“She’s very good,” said McDonald.
“She’s just so economical in her action. She’s got a great constitution, good strength about her (and a) really good mind. She’ll keep improving, too.
“It is to Chris’ credit. He said, ‘you ride her, you’re on top, you go with her. I’ve got as much faith in the filly as I do you.’
“She’s got all the class in the world. Have a look at her.”
Autumn Glow is now the clear favourite at $1.80 with horse racing bookmakers for the Flight Stakes on October 5.
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