The Autumn Glow phenomenon continued on its merry way at Rosehill today as the freakish mare made it six wins from six starts with a brilliant performance in the G2 Theo Marks Stakes.
Her victory came on a day when Inglis graduates dominated the Rosehill and Flemington programs, winning six Stakes races between the two venues as the spring carnival surged into overdrive.
It was the 4YO mare Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) that received the most widespread praise, many now predicting she could go through the spring undefeated and take home the Epsom Handicap and Golden Eagle trophies along the way.
In just six race starts Autumn Glow (pictured) has captured the imagination of an industry – she topped the 2023 Easter Yearling Sale at $1.8m, selling to Arrowfield and Hermitage Thoroughbreds out of the Silverdale Farm draft.
The three-quarter sister to G1 Golden Rose-winning Easter graduate In The Congo has been perfectly placed by her trainer Chris Waller, who will now step her up to G1 company for the first time in the Epsom Hcp at Randwick on October 4.
“She was enormous, she’s very special and she’s only going to get better and better, that’s the best part,’’ Silverdale’s Steve Grant said.
“She’s such a professional and always has been. We’ve got a photo of her here after we got her to the farm and you could tell straight away she’s a thinker, such a kind and settled filly, even back then. If you go back to one of the Inglis videos either before or just after she sold at Easter, Rob [Petith] said she’s the most special horse he’d ever taken to a sale.
“I’m so happy for John Messara and the Arrowfield team and Hermitage, from our point of view we’re there to sell and it’s great to see people doing well with them, that’s what we want.’’
Autumn Glow firmed into a $1.80 favourite with Ladbrokes for the Epsom following today’s effortless victory.
Earlier on the Rosehill program the untapped colt Sixties (Flying Artie) led all the way to score an impressive victory in the G3 Ming Dynasty Quality.
The 3YO was coming off a luckless run in the G3 Up And Coming Stakes at his most recent start and showed he’s a young horse on the rise with the strong win.
Bred by Greg Perry, Sixties is a $350,000 Easter Yearling Sale purchase for Boon Chua’s Aramco Racing, from the Vinery Stud draft.
At Flemington today Inglis graduates won four Stakes races and none were more impressive than the G1-winning colt Vinrock (I Am Invincible), which announced himself a major contender for all the big 3YO races this spring with a comprehensive victory in the Listed Exford Plate.
The Matt Laurie-trained Vinrock proved to be one of the star 2YOs of his generation, enjoying an undefeated juvenile season which culminated with victory in the G1 Inglis Sires at Randwick during The Championships.
Today’s victory showed he has trained on as a highly talented 3YO, with Laurie again aiming for the top this campaign.
“I was always keen to run him in the [G1] Golden Rose then make our way back down [to Melbourne] for the [G1 Caulfield] Guineas so on that performance today, there’s probably no reason we shouldn’t still be looking along that path,’’ the trainer said.
“I’m thrilled. There’s a little bit of pressure, he sold for a lot of money and you want the buyers to be able to purchase a horse that’s able to go on with it and I’m happy to see him back in the winners’ circle.’’
Laurie teamed up with Wilannah Park Bloodstock to buy Vinrock for $300,000 at the Premier Yearling Sale, where he was offered by his breeder Rosemont Stud.
He has now won four of his five starts for $1,050,000 in prizemoney.
Meanwhile trainer John McArdle would love to see his talented filly My Gladiola (I Am Invincible) take on the boys in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes in early November following her impressive victory in today’s Listed Cap D’antibes Stakes at Flemington.
My Gladiola began her 3YO campaign with a close-up 2nd at G3 level a month ago and went one better today, making her a Stakes winner at two and three.
McArdle’s Redgum Racing purchased My Gladiola for $550,000 at last year’s Easter Yearling Sale, where she was offered by her breeder Kia Ora Stud.
“She was excellent today,’’ a relieved McArdle said post-race.
“She was a bit up and about when she got to the races earlier, which she’s not usually and she pulled a bit hard early but Jamie [Mott] knows her and just went with her and she showed that good turn of foot.
“She was probably getting a bit tired late but she’s got a long prep ahead of her so she’s got more improvement to come.
“We’ll come back here for the [G2] Danehill in three weeks, that was always the plan, have a look against the colts and if she ran well there, then come back for the [G1] Coolmore [Stud Stakes at Flemington on November 1].’’
Later on the program exciting stayer Revelare (So You Think) booked his ticket into the G1 Melbourne Cup with an effortless victory in the ‘win-and-you’re-in’ G3 Archer Stakes.
Revelare is one of the most talented young Australian-bred stayers seen in many years, having now won eight of his 11 starts.
Such was the strength of today’s performance, Revelare firmed into $17 with Ladbrokes for the Melbourne Cup, on the fourth line of betting.
Trainer Robert Hickmott bought the Colleen and Kevin Bamford-bred Revelare for $130,000 at the Premier Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Daisy Hill.
“It was a very easy watch, wasn’t it?’’ Hickmott said.
“That was a nice win with plenty of improvement to come.
“It’s terrific for the owners and particularly [Kevin and] Colleen who bred the horse. I’m just thrilled for them.’’
And the Lindsay Park team will consider backing Arkansaw Kid (Harry Angel) up in next weekend’s G1 Rupert Clarke Stakes following his slick win in today’s G2 Bobbie Lewis Quality.
Arkansaw Kid has been an amazing horse for his owners; purchased for $190,000 at the Classic Yearling Sale by his trainers from Sledmere Stud, the 5YO is a five-time winner – including on debut in the Listed Inglis Banner for 2YOs – and 10-time minor placegetter, earning $1.85m in prizemoney.
“He’s been a great horse for us,’’ co-trainer Ben Hayes said.
“This prep he’s been going enormous, he’d just run into a couple of good ones but this time he had a beautiful run – it was a great ride by Blake [Shinn] – and presented at the right time and was strong through the line.
“We were discussing pre-race, if he pulls up really well we might consider backing him up and running him in the Group 1 next weekend so we’ll closely look at how he pulls up because his record at 1400m is actually not too bad and I think on the back up, rock hard fit, he’d have his chance in a race like that.’’
Arkansaw Kid is bred by Philippa Duncan, who remains in the ownership.
Meanwhile at Morphettville today Watchme Win (Harry Angel) resumed in the best way possible, winning the Listed Wylie Handicap.
Trainer Andrew Gluyas bought Watchme Win with his former training partner Leon Macdonald for $160,000 at the Premier Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Noorilim Park.
The 5YO has now won six races from 13 starts for $300,000 in prizemoney.
