Craig Kerry
Autumn Glow’s 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 – 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 Jenni’s presence would have done little to change that, but Messara was glad she was going elsewhere.
“She can disrupt the race,” Messara said. “She can go 10 [lengths] in front … then all of a sudden you think, ‘I can’t let her get too far in front’. So you push, push, push, and you upset the apple cart. In a way, I prefer she’s not there.”
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.
“Those match races are of questionable interest to people and if there’s a big differential with one or the other horse, you get a ridiculous outcome,” he said. “You could beat the other horse by four or five. It takes all the fun out of life.
“It could be either way, I don’t know. She’s a great mare [Pride Of Jenni] and has a lot of heart. It’s an unlikely outcome, but I’m always open to suggestions.”
Adrian Bott believed Pride Of Jenni may have helped the cause of his Queen Elizabeth runner, Sir Delius, but the trainer’s 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 Chairman’s 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.
“He was checked immediately following the race, and all the vital signs and everything were in order, so it’s a little bit of an unusual case,” Bott said. “He hasn’t done any strenuous exercise [since Saturday].”
