Autumn Glow update: How is the superstar after pulling up lame?

The champion mare’s spring is now over, winning all four of her races in which she ran, including three Group 1s to take her career tally to six.

Autumn Glow now boasts a record of 15-0-1 from 16 starts, where her lone loss came at 2000m in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth in the autumn.

On Saturday, in the Champions Mile, the Chris Waller-trained five-year-old made her Victoria debut, defeating stablemate Lindermann by 1.25 lengths. However, she pulled up lame from that run, making the victory even more impressive.

On RSN’s Correct Weight, Waller provided an update on his superstar, revealing how she is feeling now, her early autumn plans, and whether he will race her overseas.

Read Waller’s Autumn Glow update below:

How is Autumn Glow after pulling up lame?

“She pulled up mildly lame after the race, which is a little bit of a concern," said Waller.

“Straight away she was fine and then once she cooled down, she was relatively lame.

“Fortunately, X-rays and scans are clear, and they worked out it was her foot.

“The foot's clear on X-rays, but she's just got some bruising, and the farrier’s attended to that.

“She's a lot more comfortable with some anti-inflammatories, and just drawing the bruising out of the foot. She's really comfortable.”

What does her autumn preparation look like?

“I'll put a proposal to them (John Messara, Arrowfield Stud, Hermitage Thoroughbreds) for the next week, and then they'll mull it over.”

“But I think sprinter/mile races. I'd be thinking that George Ryder would be close to her Grand Final.

“Not to say we wouldn't try over 2000m again, but we'd be reluctant, because as soon as we do, they're just going to go 100 miles an hour and make it hard for her.

“I think the Apollo's a Group 1 now in Sydney, that it might be a first-up 1400m type run or just sprint her over 1200m, she's equally as effective.

“We'll work out all the suitable races and keep her in the group 1s. You'd be talking George Ryder, Canterbury Stakes.”

Will Autumn Glow ever race overseas?

“It doesn't really (appeal to me), but I get it.”

“Australian racing is so good. We're a little bit sheltered, they don't all like coming down here. Like, you're racing for such good prize money here in Australia. If you go to Royal Ascot, you probably sacrifice two runs back here.

“People need to respect that horses are horses, they're animals. They just don't just get on planes, sit in business class, and get the best treatment. It's a big deal to go to these countries.

“Like Joliestar to get to Ascot, it took over 40 hours to get there. She leaves Australia in winter. She gets there and it's daylight at 11 o'clock at night, and the sun comes up at 3 o'clock in the morning.

“And then they've got to come back and are expected to perform at the best. When you've got a superstar horse, she's expected to perform wherever she goes.

“As her coach, you've just got to be responsible for how you do it. Horses are individuals, they're not a team. You've got an individual to think about, and it's your job to protect that horse, respect it.

“The one thing we did right with Winx is we didn't fall to the pressure… You just can't be everywhere. Racing's a winner if these horses keep racing.

“I know they get sick of horses just beating up horses that are a bit below them, but what can you do? It's just about doing the best you can for as long as you can.

“That poor old Ka Ying Rising, he got booed when he came back and raced at Randwick. Like, how would you feel bringing that horse, a superstar, world's best sprinter, to Australia and get booed.

“Like imagine taking Autumn Glow all the way to England or Hong Kong and getting booed. It's not much fun, is it?”