IT’S been billed as the blockbuster Group One clash of the two best horses in the land – no argument with that.
But a close examination of the form of Autumn Glow ($1.8-$1.9) and Sheza Alibi ($4.5-$3.1) suggests that the former is entitled to be well into the red for the $1mn Winx Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
Autumn Glow has been beaten only once in 12 starts when she arguably failed to run out the 2000m of the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in April. She is unbeaten at four first-up starts, two at the track and distance and has never been beaten in the wet which the Randwick track is certain to be on Saturday.
Sheza Alibi was the star three-year-old of the Autumn. Her last start win in the Doncaster Handicap was outstanding but she carried 7.5 kg less than she has in the Winx beating Autumn Boy, a stablemate of Autumn Glow, which is a $41 chance on Saturday.
While Sheza Alibi has won both her starts at Randwick, two of three at the trip and three of four in the wet, she has won only one of three first-up and concedes only half a kilo to Autumn Glow. She is untried at the track and distance.
The Chris Waller stable has the added ammunition of more than half the field. His eight starters headed by Autumn Glow, include Beiwacht $18, Lady Shenandoah $19, Fangirl $23, Aeliana $26, Autumn Boy $41 and Lndermann $46 makes you wonder what Sydney racing would do without him.
Had trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman decided to wait for the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday week with Sheza Alaibi, some might argue the Waller domination of the first Group One of the season would be a walkover – an embarrassment of riches.
Waller has won the Winx Stakes on nine occasions, including three-times with the race’s namesake. His task in this Group One will be made only easier of more than expected rain falls and the track degenerates into the heavier range which could see Sheza Alibi scratched.
