Autumn Glow Victorious in Champions Mile

Chris Waller is starting to have some Winx-like feelings again, as his next wonder mare Autumn Glow (AUS) continues to sweep all before her. Just as in Winx's heyday as she built her captivating 33-race winning streak, Waller admitted to being "a bundle of nerves" before the Nov. 7 Champions Mile (G1) at Flemington Racecourse and the latest appearance of Autumn Glow, now dubbed "the people's horse" by her jockey James McDonald. Seeking a 15th win from 16 starts, the hulking 5-year-old went to the post at Winx-like odds of AU$1.18, as she sought a win that would send her past the AU$14 million mark in earnings. She didn't disappoint—and it's growing harder to imagine her doing so again, after that one blip in an unsuccessful try at middle distance last autumn in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1). But as her record grows along with her following, the reigning Horse of the Year's status as a crowd-puller adds a little more pressure along with the excitement for her softly spoken, often emotional trainer. Asked if he was nervous before the race, Waller said: "I was, because you don't want a horse like Autumn Glow to disappoint. "There's a massive crowd here today and it was good to see her go through her paces. She had to put up a fight. Lindermann, he dug deep, and to come away that last 100 meters, it was special. "She didn't let people down. The whole prep, each race was so important to her, and she's got a bit of a following now too, so that's factored into it." Autumn Glow's sixth group 1 success was as clinical as it comes: she tracked stablemate and leader Lindermann (AUS) as he set a solid clip, came out after him on straightening, and while the gelding didn't shirk his task, the mare proved simply too good once again, winning by 1 1/4 lengths. The AU$16 hope Lindermann finished a length ahead of AU$14 chance Buckaroo (GB), as Waller took the trifecta. Postrace, Waller later sprung two mild surprises—first by saying Autumn Glow ranks only "about fourth" among the champions he has trained; then by adding she is talented enough that she could have beaten Winx. "She's a star. She's as good as any horse that I've trained, it's just about longevity," Waller said. "Winx just kept going, and going and going for four or five years. She could beat Winx on her day but Winx would probably beat her on Winx's best day—pretty easily in fact, especially over 2,000 (meters). That's the unique thing about people's favorites, you can't really compare them." Despite previously considering a Royal Ascot campaign for Autumn Glow next year, senior part-owner John Messara revealed Friday that those plans had been shelved, with the mare instead expected to remain in Australia for a four-race autumn campaign. Messara cited the risks associated with international travel as a major factor in the decision, with the mare likely to target the Apollo Stakes (G2), Verry Elleegant Stakes (G1), George Ryder Stakes (G1), and All Aged Stakes (G1) in Sydney. Asked if she was the undisputed champion miler in Australia, as the race's title might suggest, McDonald said: "I think so. Now that she's had this run here, it's very foreign to her, but you look up at the Flemington straight, the roses, the people, she knew she was somewhere different and she was a little slow to balance and quicken up, but she's a champion. "Champions make their own luck in this game and she just plants herself on speed and away she goes." A postrace veterinary examination revealed Autumn Glow to be lame in her left foreleg, although subsequent X-rays and scans showed no abnormalities. Waller later reported that the mare was displaying signs of bruising to her left fore hoof. Waller closes in on record as Birdman soars Birdman (IRE) scored a deserved third elite win by coming from the back in the Champions Stakes (G1) at Flemington, helping trainer Chris Waller to a tantalizing milestone. It was the master trainer's 213th career group 1, but also his 27th for 2026. That puts him just one behind the world record for trainers in a calendar year, held by Aidan O'Brien. Group 1 number 213 for Waller came as AU$5 equal third favorite Birdman turned the tables on favorite Cosmic Crusader (NZ), who relegated him to second in the Cox Plate (G1) at the same track two weeks earlier. Birdman was dropped out to last of the 10 by Ben Melham, trailing Cosmic Crusader, and as Land Legend (FR) once again streaked out to a long lead setting a fast pace—as he had in the Cox Plate—the race played perfectly into the backmarkers' hands. With second-elect Aeliana (NZ) not making inroads in the straight, it became a question of which of the first two home in the Cox Plate would prevail, and this time it was Birdman, finishing powerfully down the outside, who took the honors in clear fashion, by three-quarters of a length. Sir Delius gained minor compensation for a disappointing spring by taking third a further half-length away. Waller's Aeliana finished fourth, and it appears the 5-year-old may be best suited these days by the 2,400 meters of two of her three group 1 wins. Point Barrow steals the show at Flemington One star short course mare was toppled but another confirmed as Point Barrow (AUS) became the first Australian elite winner for her former shuttling sire, Blue Point (IRE), in Saturday's Champions Sprint (G1). The major news out of the race was the defeat of AU$1.70 favourite Tempted (AUS). In her first start since upsetting Ka Ying Rising (NZ) in winning The Everest (G1), she failed in her maiden attempt up the Flemington straight in running a 1 1/2-length fifth. But Point Barrow lived up to her rating as a sneaky tip at AU$18 by charging through the pack late to snatch victory in a thrilling finish. The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained 4-year-old was well ridden by Mark Zahra, who first moved her across from barrier 2 of 10 to race on the grandstand side of the pack, trailing Tempted. He then switched to his left, evidently towards better going, inside the 300 meters as Point Barrow wound up with her finish. With Tempted and second favorite Joliestar making no ground at the slower extreme outside of the track, it looked for a moment as if another 4-year-old mare—AU$101 Plaintiff—could cause a huge upset, the daughter of group 1-winning mare Prompt Response having taken a long neck lead at the 100 meters. But Point Barrow drove through late under vigorous riding from Zahra to beat Plaintiff by a half-length. Mitch Freedman's Skybird was a nose back in third at AU$31, completing not only an all-mares trifecta but a bounteous one, paying north of AU$9,000. "She's a good mare and I had good confidence coming into the race albeit with Tempted in the field," said Sam Freedman, who trains with his father Anthony. "She's been a bloody good mare for a while and it's been a long time coming. I'm glad she's got the win at the top level."