Craig Kerry
Autumn Glowโs part-owner John Messara was pleased not to see Pride Of Jenni in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) field for Saturday, when his unbeaten star will go beyond a mile for the first time.
And while Messara, the founder of Arrowfield Stud, believes a proposed $2 million match race with the front-running veteran is unlikely, he said he was always open to suggestions.
Autumn Glow, with a perfect record in 11 starts, drew gate two of eight on Tuesday for the $5 million weight-for-age highlight on day two of the Championships at Randwick.
The focus, though, was on the absence of Pride Of Jenni โ the eight-year-old who etched herself into racing folklore in 2024 when she led the race by 30 lengths and won by 6.5.
Her owner, Tony Ottobre, announced on SEN radio that Pride Of Jenni would instead run in the Queen Of The Turf (1600m), where she would likely get an easier time up front after two gut-busting placings this preparation.
Four-year-old Autumn Glow remained a $1.40 TAB favourite for the Queen Elizabeth. Pride Of Jenniโs presence would have done little to change that, but Messara was glad she was going elsewhere.
โShe can disrupt the race,โ Messara said. โShe can go 10 [lengths] in front โฆ then all of a sudden you think, โI canโt let her get too far in frontโ. So you push, push, push, and you upset the apple cart. In a way, I prefer sheโs not there.โ
Ottobre said he was still open to a $1 million-a-piece match race over 1600m-2000m with any horse, including Autumn Glow. Messara was not ruling it out, but said it was unlikely.
โThose match races are of questionable interest to people and if thereโs a big differential with one or the other horse, you get a ridiculous outcome,โ he said. โYou could beat the other horse by four or five. It takes all the fun out of life.
โIt could be either way, I donโt know. Sheโs a great mare [Pride Of Jenni] and has a lot of heart. Itโs an unlikely outcome, but Iโm always open to suggestions.โ
Adrian Bott believed Pride Of Jenni may have helped the cause of his Queen Elizabeth runner, Sir Delius, but the trainerโs focus was on Sydney Cup (3200m) contender Campaldino, which failed an inspection on Tuesday.
The $6 hope for the $2 million Cup ran second in the Chairmanโs Quality (2600m) last Saturday, but he was in doubt for the group 1 after Racing NSW veterinarians found he had suffered cardiac arrhythmia.
Bott hoped he could pass further tests and take his place from gate 14 of 16. Stewards said if Campaldino is cleared, he will still need to come through a 1000m gallop on Thursday.
โHe was checked immediately following the race, and all the vital signs and everything were in order, so itโs a little bit of an unusual case,โ Bott said. โHe hasnโt done any strenuous exercise [since Saturday].โ
