J-Mac backing Autumn Glow for mega stardom

By Connor Scanlon

Emerging megastar Autumn Glow resumed on Saturday, winning the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick by almost three lengths.

The daughter of The Autumn Sun extended her unbeaten streak to nine on the trot, defeating a star-studded field full of Group 1 winners such as Aeliana, Lindermann, Ceolwulf, Antino and Stefi Magnetica.

The Chris Waller-trained mare was ridden by James McDonald on Saturday, and the star hoop was over the moon with the victory.

In fact, J-Mac admitted that Autumn Glow even exceeded his high expectations.

“For sure (she exceeded my expectations), we're always confident she'll go there and win, but to put them to the sword like she did was incredible,” J-Mac told SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up.

“I just loved the way she executed… She was able to travel well and then show a really good turn of foot. What she has done over the past is hit flat spots during a race, but she didn't seem to do that.

“She was super sensational. I’m rapt to have her back and rapt to see what she did there on Saturday. She was phenomenal.

“She's got a big prep ahead of herself, and she couldn't have stepped out any better.”

The hoop is even predicting that the bay will become one of Australia’s biggest fan favourites, claiming that he can feel the support for her building already.

McDonald has ridden the likes of Via Sistina, Romantic Warrior, Verry Elleegant and Anamoe in his stellar career, and Autumn Glow could potentially outdo them eventually.

“We (Waller and I) have been extremely blessed with (amazing) horses,” J-Mac said.

“Hopefully she’s the most exciting one because she is nine from nine.

“You watch the fanbase get behind her, it’s going to be quite incredible, I can feel it building already.”

Regarding what the four-year-old's best trip will be come the end of her career, J-Mac believes her best distance will be across the mile, but he also wants to see Autumn Glow tested across 2000m.

“It probably will be a mile,” the jockey stated.

“But I would love to see her stretched to 10 furlongs because I think she'd be very good at 10 furlongs as well.

"The way she goes about it is tailor-made for that trip (2000m)."

McDonald also confirmed that the mare’s next start will be in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m), where she is currently the $1.50 favourite with Sportsbet to win that $1 million race.