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Chris Waller‘s sensational young mare Autumn Glow continued the flawless start to what is shaping up as a brilliant career making it nine wins on the trot with her effortless first-up romp home in the Apollo Stakes 2026 results ahead of a likely next-up Group 1 target in the Verry Elleegant.

The bonny daughter of The Autumn Sun retained her unbeaten streak when easily accounting for her rivals in a soft 2.66 length demolition job to lead an all-Waller trifecta in this year’s Group 2 $300,000 Apollo Stakes (1400m).

“She has come back well. It was a great ride by James, put her into a nice position. She is a really fool proof horse. Quite remarkable,” Waller told Sky Thoroughbred Central after the win.

Having shot to stardom taking out the Epsom Handicap – Golden Eagle double in the spring, she returned in equally impressive fashion handing James McDonald another feature win in Sydney following his Expressway Stakes victory on the also resuming Waller mare Joliestar earlier in the day.

“She’s going well,” McDonald said of the Apollo Stakes winner.

“There’s only two horses, and I’ve been lucky enough to associate with some good ones, with their demeanour, their class and their ability.

“She is going the right way, she’s got a long way to go but she is well on her way, and she’s got a good trainer that will place her to the best of her ability.

“She’s got some lofty targets in store. She’s going to have to step up but she is well on her way.”

Ridden to perfection by J-Mac who had the hot favourite settled just off the pace, Autumn Glow ($1.40F) began to wind up on the outside with 250m left to travel before unleashing her enormous turn of foot to cruise past her rivals and secure victory for the punters.

 “Just to say that she has come back well, and we know where she is starting her prep,” Waller added.

“The first run of the prep is the most important. It tells you where they are. You can have as many track gallops and trials and exhibition gallops. Until they are under race pressure you don’t really know. That tells me she is in pretty good position.”

The stable’s five-length ATC Derby champion Aeliana raced into a clear first-up second while the fellow Waller-trained Lindermann ran his usual honest race to complete the Apollo Stakes trifecta.

“Aeliana was brilliant,” Waller said of the runner-up.

“Good to see her take up a spot if she needs to as well. Put into the race and still strong late.”

Waller said that the likely autumn campaign ahead for Autumn Glow would see her attempt to take her undefeated streak to 10 on the trot in the Group 1 $1 million Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) – formerly the Chipping Norton Stakes – back at the track on February 28 followed by the Group 1 $1 million George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Slipper Day (March 21).

“One at the time, but the Verry Elleegant and George Ryder seems logical,” Waller said.

“We’ll talk to Mr Messara and the team in Hong Kong (Hermitage) which is all part of the fun.”

In 2023, Anamoe completed the Apollo Stakes – Verry Elleegant – George Ryder Stakes triple.

Autumn Glow has firmed in from $2.50 to $1.35 to sit at the top of all-in 2026 Verry Elleegant Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.com.au and is also the short-priced $1.30 odds-on favourite in futures George Ryder Stakes betting.

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