![Autumn Glow and James McDonald leave their rivals behind in a record-breaking Winx Stakes victory at Randwick. [Bradley Photos]](https://betsy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2349178.jpg)
There will be no decision made about Autumn Glow’s spring goal for at least week after her devastating Winx Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
The Everest and the King Charles Stakes remain in play with another run on Champions Day at Flemington pencilled to complete the star mare’s campaign.
“It was great to see her come back in that sort of fashion, but Chris [Waller] and I decided to let the dust settle for seven or eight days before Talking and making that decision,” Owner John Messara said.
“The way she won gives us options, and it will be up to how she comes through it and what Chris thinks is the best way to go.
“The Everest would be a big challenge against Ka Ying Rising, and she has shown that she is a very good miler.”
THE SUPERSTAR IS BACK. AUTUMN GLOW 🌟
A fourth Group 1 for Chris Waller’s super mare who is now 12 wins from 13 starts 🤯@mcacajamez @cwallerracing pic.twitter.com/sfrWt9csZ0
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) August 22, 2026
The TAB is circling Autumn Glow as the horse for their slot and will be able to do a deal that other slotholders cannot match as they want to promote the clash of Hong Kong’s best against Australian best.
Autumn Glow is following the Waller template of growing with each preparation, and Saturday was the most dynamic win in her 13 starts as she dropped the best horses in the country with a power-packed sprint after topping the Randwick rise.
She ran the fastest time in Winx Stakes history, throttled down in the final 50 metres by James McDonald.
“That was exciting to see her do it in that style,” Messara said. “She is only lightly-raced and it appears that she is still getting better.
“There was a lot of improvement left in her [on Saturday], her coat still has to come through and Chris didn’t have her screwed right down.”
Whereas other Winx runners gleaned in the winter sunshine, Autumn Glow was a touchy wooly in the coat.
“She gets skin infections if you clip her, so Chris told us he was just going to give her time with that winter coat and let it come through naturally,” Messara said.
While the plans for spring remain in flux, Autumn Glow is booked in for Royal Ascot next year.
“That is the long-term goal and we are thinking the Queen Elizabeth Jubliee Stakes up the straight, but the Queen Anne over the mile is an option,” Messara said.
