Autumn Glow Defeats Sheza Alibi in Winx Clash

Champion mare Autumn Glow (AUS) showed she was back in her best shape by winning Round 1 of a budding rivalry with Sheza Alibi (AUS) in the Aug. 22 Winx Stakes (G1) at Randwick Racecourse. But the manner of the younger contender's first attempt at weight-for-age suggested the pair could engage in an engrossing series of battles this season. Autumn Glow started a dominant AU$1.70 favorite as she set out to atone for the first blemish on her record at her 12th and most recent start—that Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) third when trainer Chris Waller admitted to erring in trying her over that distance (2,000 meters) for the first time. The 5-year-old raced according to her market price. Settling into the one-one for James McDonald from gate 3 in a star-studded 11-horse field, she always looked to be traveling smoothly behind an accommodatingly swift pace set by longshot Midnight Dynamite. That contrasted the passage of Sheza Alibi, who started AU$3.50 second elect. She was commendably brought up from Melbourne by trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman to take part in a match race which drew a crowd almost double that of the same meeting last year at 7,877. Alas, the 4-year-old was tardy out of the gates and had to be roused early by Luke Nolen to take fifth spot on the rail on settling. Autumn Glow roared into gear flattening out for the run home, the hulking mare motoring past the fading Midnight Dynamite at the 200 meters to take the lead which proved unassailable but Sheza Alibi, resuming at weight-for-age one start after taking the Doncaster Handicap (G1) under 49 kilograms, lost no fans as she also motored home to take a highly commendable second, beaten 1 1/2 lengths. The match race lived up to its billing in a fashion, though marred by Sheza Alibi's start, and with Autumn Glow appearing to have much more in reserve as she hit the line. Still, the pair were 1 3/4 lengths clear of the third horse Gringotts (NZ), who turned in a sparkling first-up effort. Postrace, it remained unclear when the two mares would meet again. Sheza Alibi seems likely to follow a 1,400-1,600-meter program in the spring. That would suit Autumn Glow also, meaning the King Charles III Stakes (G1) at 1,600 meters (about 1 mile) Oct. 17 could be a target keeping both on a collision course. But there is also the chance Autumn Glow might follow a sprinting path headed towards The Everest (G1) on the same day, meaning a likely clash with the great Ka Ying Rising (NZ), the current AU$1.50 favorite for claiming back-to-back wins in the race, with Autumn Glow second-elect at AU$6. Waller, who owns a slot for the AU$20 million weight-for-age sprint, kept his counsel on such plans after the race, despite the crowd being eager to learn when they might see a Round 2. "We won't worry about that today. There are so many things to analyze—the horse's health first of all, sectional times, the likely competition," said Waller, who looked forward to more clashes between Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi. "It was great that Peter Moody and the owners brought the mare up to Sydney. This was the first round of competition running these headline horses. "People come to the races because they want to see these great horses racing each other. We don't always want the clashes, but it is important for the sport. We have come out of Round 1 pretty well but I'm pretty sure there will be Round 2 or Round 3." McDonald was thrilled to see Autumn Glow return in her best style and on the race, McDonald said: "She (Autumn Glow) doesn't have to improve. The second horse, take nothing away, she's special as well. An incredible performance by her and I think we just embrace the two mares for how good they are. "Even if they clash, they're two special, great horses that have come along at the same time. One's a year older, but when they have their clashes it's going to be some great rivalry." Moody was pleased with Sheza Alibi's effort, doffing his cap to Autumn Glow. "We just ran into one too good on the day," he said. "We dwelt slightly at the start but she got a lovely run thereafter. She made ground late but only when the winner was eased down. "No excuses there at all. … Proud of her. She's run extremely well against the best in the land, but got beat on her merits."