‘Could beat Winx’: Australia’s best horse stuns, J-Mac creates history
Australia’s best horse Autumn Glow has delivered in her first career start at the famous Flemington course, producing a brave effort in the VRC Champions Mile on a stellar day of racing to conclude Melbourne Cup week.
In a small field, the unbackable $1.18 favourite had to work for it, charging home in the final furlong and beating brave stablemate Lindermann.
Autumn Glow wins the VRC Champions Mile. Getty Images
Buckaroo finished third, giving trainer Chris Waller the trifecta in the $3 million race on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“You just don’t want a horse like Autumn Glow to disappoint, there’s a big crowd here today. She had a bit of a fight, Lindermann dug deep and to come away in that last 100 metres was a special occasion,” Waller told Nine post-race.
Asked where the five-year-old ranks among the best horses he’s trained, Waller was coy but admitted she could rival Winx at her peak.
“About fourth ... I’m not saying which ones,” he laughed.
“She’s a star and she’s as good as any horse I’ve trained, but it’s just longevity. Winx just kept going and going for four or five years, that’s the only difference.
“She could beat Winx on her day and Winx could beat her on Winx’s best day pretty easily in fact, especially over 2000 metres.
“That’s the unique thing about people’s favourites, you can’t really compare them.”
Waller previously trained not only Winx, but also the likes of Verry Elleegant and Nature Strip, who dominated the turf on Australian soil.
The superstar mare has now won 15 of 16 career races, with seven at Group 1 level, cementing herself as the best runner in the country right now.
“She’s not Winx yet, but she’s pretty much invincible,” David Gately said on Nine.
The result meant James McDonald is now the first jockey to ride a winner in every single Group 1 race across the four Cup week meetings.
In the feature TAB Champions Stakes, it was Birdman who came up trumps and gave a handful of Carlton players a moment to savour.
Patrick Cripps, who has a share in the gelding along with some of his teammates, celebrated in the mounting yard as Birdman crossed the line first ahead of Cox Plate winner Cosmic Crusader in second and Sir Delius third.
Birdman wins the TAB Champions Stakes. Getty Images
Earlier, there was a major upset in the VRC Sprint, with red-hot favourite Tempted failing to run top-four as $16 outsider Point Barrow saluted.
The in-form Ciaron Maher-trained mare, who won The Everest last month, was rated at $1.70 odds before the jump but failed to handle the Flemington straight.
Joliestar also missed the placings, with Plaintiff in second and Skybird in third.
