"Superstar": Autumn Glow goes 1-nil up on Sheza Alibi

Freak. Autumn Glow is just a freak.

The first Group 1 of the 2026/2027 racing season has come to an end, and it was won by none other than Autumn Glow for Chris Waller.

Running excellently across 1400m at Randwick Racecourse, the mare won her fourth Group 1, defeating Sheza Alibi and Gringotts who finished second and third respectively.

The Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained four-year-old was mighty in defeat though and stormed home after slightly missing the kick.

Autumn Glow, who was ridden by James McDonald backed up the punters who invested in her, and lived up to the $1.70 hype with Sportsbet.

Reflecting on the race itself, former jockey David Taggart exclaimed on SENTrack's Saturday Trackside that Sheza Alibi “has lost no admirers” despite losing, purely because Autumn Glow is a “superstar”.

Nevett: “I reckon that race panned out how we thought it would, to be honest.”

Taggart: “Mate, Sheza Alibi has lost no admirers. She's been beaten by an absolute superstar."

Luke: “She's the best horse in the country, Autumn Glow, but Sheza Alibi’s taken (ground) off her at the at the end.”

And when honing in on the Chris Waller jet, both Taggart and Cam Luke noticed that the mare didn’t hit a flat spot this run – something which has commonly occurred in Autumn Glow’s previous starts.

Taggart: “Did you notice one thing about Autumn Glow then?”

Luke: “No flat spot. It was the one thing I noticed.”

Taggart: “She did not hit a flat spot.”

Luke: “You know why? Speed! There was plenty of speed in the race.”

But what’s next for the daughter of The Autumn Son after this scintillating victory?

Expert racing analyst Matt Nevett is of the belief that the Waller camp and owners will target the $20 million Everest with the five-year-old.

Nevett even went as far to say that she is Australia’s best chance of beating the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising – a synopsis which Luke agreed with.

Nevett: “She's just too fast, and off that they'll be going to an Everest for sure. I'd be staggered if they don't go to an Everest, she’s just too fast!”

Luke: “I agree with you, but it disappoints me.”

Nevett: “I know you say it disappoints you, but she might actually be the best chance of beating Ka Ying Rising that any horse has ever had.”

“She might be, she's the best horse in the country.”

Luke: “You know what, you're right. I don't think she beats Ka Ying Rising but you are right by saying it might be the best chance we've got.”

When looking at the market for the world’s richest sprint on turf, the Hong Kong superstar is the heavy favourite at $1.55, while Autumn Glow is now the $6 second favourite.

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