Autumn Glow easily carries weight of expectation
McDonald achieved a treble and also won the Joliestar at Expressway and the Mal Coupe at Midway.
The Apollo was marred by the discovery of blood in both nostrils of the Joe Pride-trained Ceolwulf, who finished sixth. Pride requested an endoscopic examination of the four-time group 1 champion; This means that if he is found to have had a bleeding attack, he will be banned from racing for three months.
The potential blow was softened in the next race when Pride’s Weeping Woman won the group 3 Triscay Stakes under Tim Clark.
Joliestar is still Royal material
Chris Waller’s hopes of taking Joliestar to Royal Ascot in June were boosted after Joliestar proved he was still the group’s best sprinter and produced a sweeping finish to win the group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m).
Waller’s Everest trio from last year, Joliestar, Angel Capital and Lady Shenandoah, resumed racing at the Expressway with only six runners participating.
Bjorn Baker’s Caballus went ahead and closed the gap to two lengths before Joliestar took the lead by one and a quarter lengths at 50 metres. Lady Shenandoah came in third and Angel Capital, playing at the gates, came in fourth.
Waller said five-year-old filly and three-time Group 1 winner Joliestar will have two more runs in Sydney before heading to England.
“He is a perfect horse, he runs very fresh, hopefully it will be autumn,” Waller said.
“Canterbury Stakes, T.J. [Smith Stakes] and after that he can board the plane.
Options open for informed choice
Connections will consider the $1 million Inglis Sprint (1200m) or the group 1 Perimeter Stakes (1400m) on February 28 with Savvy Hallie after turning the tables on $1.50 favorite Apocalyptic in the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m).
Nash Rawiller led the Brad Widdup-trained filly ($3.70) and posted a perfect score to edge Flight Stakes winner Apocalyptic by three quarters of a length. This was Savvy Hallie’s second group 2 victory and she finished third on Apocalyptic in the Furious after winning the Silver Shadow in the heavy races.
Widdup said Savvy Hallie was likely to remain in the three-year-old mares class and then move on to the $750,000 surround Stakes at Randwick.
“He relaxes and has a good brain, so I don’t see why not,” Widdup said.
Part owner Ben Vassallo, who bought the Hellbent mare for $320,000, said the Inglis Sprint at Flemington on the same day could be another option.
“She is a very promising filly who needs some luck today,” Vassallo said.
“When we went up against the favorites in the last preparation, we probably went for the inside run and got ahead a little bit early and gave him a chance to get past us.
“When Nash came out and thought he was going to be one out, one behind, I knew he was going to be ahead. The moment he jumps, it gives you a whole different dimension.”
“There’s the possibility of the Inglis Sprint, just see how he gets through the run and what suits him best, but Brad is adamant he’ll go further than the 1400, possibly even a mile. He’s nominated him for Doncaster.”
Waller’s special child is ready to hit the road
Caulfield Guineas winner Autumn Boy warmed up with a gallop display on Saturday for her return to next week’s Hobartville Stakes (1400m), where she was joined by stablemate Wodeton.
James McDonald took the Chris Waller-trained star for a 1000m dash between races at Randwick on Saturday, clocking 1.08:25 and 38.82 seconds in the final 600m.
Waller said Autumn Boy would continue at Hobartville, then head to the Randwick Guineas before potentially joining open company in the George Ryder Stakes.
“I’m very happy,” Waller said.
“Beautiful horse, lovely animal. He was very comfortable in the front parade. Comfortable going around. Nice movement and paced nicely.”
Waller said Wodeton, who finished first by three lengths in Tempted in Eskimo Prince (1200m), could also run in Hobartville. He said Canonbury Stakes quinella Hidrix and Confederation will race in the Silver Slipper, while Lazzura and perhaps Pinito will race in the Millie Fox Stakes.
Ciaron’s star shines to join Slipper team
Ciaron’s Star has the name to lead coach Ciaron Maher’s Golden Slipper team, but the stable says there are no standouts among its contenders.
The I Am Invincible-Bonny O’Reilly mare, a $650,000 Inglis Easter yearling sale purchase, moved into the Slipper frame with a three-quarter-length win in the Pierro Plate (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday.
He finished third in his track debut, increasing his prize money to $119,000. For the March 21 Slipper, stablemates Unit Five and Tornado Valley join Magic Millions Classic quinella and Spicy Miss for $26 (TAB).
The mature and outspoken Ciaron’s Star will likely race next in the Sweet Embrace or Reisling Stakes, said Maher’s assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord.
“We have a very good group of two-year-olds,” he said.
“I wouldn’t say there are any highlights. Obviously, Magic Millions has two kids, Spicy Miss, and a few more coming in the next few weeks.”
