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The all-in price for Chris Waller‘s undefeated mare Autumn Glow to win the 2025 Epsom Handicap next month has firmed into odds-on territory after her emphatic win in Saturday’s Group 2 $300,000 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m).
The impressive daughter of The Autumn Sun extended her flawless career record to six-from-six with her fourth triumph at Rosehill putting an easy 2.23 lengths on her closest rival in the Theo Marks Stakes results second-up.
Autumn Glow returned from a spell with a sharp win in the Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick, despite testing conditions to overcome a Heavy (10) track. That run confirmed her readiness for a step up in trip and class, and she delivered emphatically in the Theo Marks.
The boom four-year-old went around at $1.30 favouritism and put on a dazzling displaying, confirming her status as one of the most exciting horses in training and firming for a Group 1 tilt this spring.
“I think she might have almost given Kerrin (McEvoy) a fright how quickly she quickened up rounding the home turn,” Waller’s stable rep Charlie Duckworth said.
“She is just electric. Obviously, she is very versatile in terms of how to be ridden.
“She has got bags of speed. Her optimum distance range who knows. She is just very, very good.”
Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, Autumn Glow settled beautifully behind the leaders before unleashing a devastating sprint at the top of the straight. She surged clear to win by 2¼ lengths over General Salute, with Kiwi raider Pier finishing third, 1¾ lengths further back.
“I don’t think he even asked her,” Duckworth added.
“He might have been just thinking about asking her and she took off. She is awesome. She is the best horse in training who hasn’t won a Group 1 yet.
“I’m sure that will come with time.”
McEvoy, who had previously ridden her to victory in last year’s Up And Coming Stakes as a three-year-old, expressed the same sentiments.
“She was up and ready to go on the corner. I got her mobile and probably hit the front early enough, but she’s a star in the making, which we already know,” he said.
As for Autumn Glow’s next-up spring assignment, the team are now weighing up between stepping her out over a mile for the Group 1 $1.5 million Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on October 4 or potentially getting her a slot in the Group 1 $20 million The Everest (1200m) on October 18.
“I think she’ll stay further but she’s got a motor as well,” McEvoy said when asked whether the Epsom or Everest would be a better target for her.
“I’m sure Chris and the team will make the right call. Probably a mile because then I might be a chance to ride her.”
Duckworth confirmed the Epsom was being considered and that it ultimately could come down to her weight allocation.
“Chris mentioned plotting a path towards an Epsom,” he said.
“Weight will obviously be a factor in that but she is certainly or hopefully going to be winning more Group 1s than just a handicap Group 1.
“I think a mile will be no issue.
“Out of a very fast sprinting mare but does have The Autumn Sun on the sire line.
“I think she is that good it doesn’t really matter. Even if she doesn’t see a mile out but could be good enough to be winning an Epsom.”
Waller has prepared five previous Epsom Handicap winners, most recently Rediener in 2023.
The Autumn Glow is the outright $1.80 favourite to hand her trainer his sixth this season in futures Epsom Handicap odds at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Her 2025 The Everest odds have also been slashed in from $34 to $13.
Theo Marks Stakes 2025 Results
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1st
5. Autumn Glow (2)
J: Kerrin McEvoy 54kg
T: Chris Waller |
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2nd
8. General Salute (4)
J: Tim Clark 53.5kg
T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou |
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3rd
2. Pier (5)
J: Ethan Brown 56kg
T: Darryn & Briar Weatherley |
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4th
7. El Castello (3)
J: Braith Nock 53.5kg
T: Joseph Pride |
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5th
14. Espionage (9)
J: Rachel King 53kg
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
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6th
4. Encap (7)
J: Jason Collett 54.5kg
T: Gary Portelli |
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7th
12. Strait Acer (1)
J: Andrew Adkins 53kg
T: John O'Shea & Tom Charlton |
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8th
10. Femminile (6)
J: Alysha Collett 53kg
T: Chris Waller |
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9th
3. Democracy Manifest (8)
J: Zac Lloyd 55kg
T: Chris Waller |
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