In a serious blow for trainer Chris Waller and connections, unbeaten filly Autumn Glow has been found lame and withdrawn from both Saturday’s 2024 Flight Stakes and the remainder of the spring.
The talented, three-time winner daughter of The Autumn Sun was hot favourite to keep the wins going at Randwick on Epsom Handicap Day in the Group 1 $750,000 Flight Stakes (1600m) after lead-up wins in the Up & Coming and Tea Rose Stakes.
Waller made the announcement on Friday morning however that an x-ray on the filly who was found to be slightly lame revealed a small bone chip to her right front knee that requires surgery.
“Unfortunately, Autumn Glow was found to slightly lame this morning in her right front leg,” a statement from Chris Waller Racing read.
“An x-ray was taken which shows a minor chip in her right front knee.
“She will therefore not take her place tomorrow in the Flight Stakes.
“The chip will be surgically removed, giving her the best possible prognosis for a return in the Autumn.
“This is very disappointing for all involved, particularly the horse.
“She is a very exciting prospect, and we are confident that she will make a full recovery.”
There has been two other early scratchings from the Flight Stakes field with Declichy Boulevard and Wings Of Desire also withdrawn.
Only six fillies remain in contention with Waller still well represented saddling up Group 2 placegetter Lazzura ($4.20) to be ridden by Craig Williams and the well backed Lady Shenandoah ($2.80) to be ridden by in-form apprentice Zac Lloyd.
Snitzel filly Lady Shenandoah comes off a win fresh over the colts in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty from mid-September and, even up in weight and distance, looks a genuine winning chance fit and ready to fire over the mile.
Updated Flight Stakes odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au have the John O’Shea & Tom Charlton-trained Snow In May as the new $2.70 top elect.
Kerrin McEvoy rides the consistent daughter of The Autumn Sun whose last start was a second to Autumn Glow at big odds in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes.
The Tea Rose has been the superior Flight Stakes form line to follow into the Group 1 in recent years and markets reflect that.
Click here for the latest Flight Stakes markets from Ladbrokes.com.au on Randwick Race 6 tomorrow.
Updated 2024 Flight Stakes Field
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 111 | AUTUMN GLOW | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 3 | 56kg | 98 | ||
| 2 | 1×12 | SNOW IN MAY | John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | Kerrin McEvoy | 7 | 56kg | 86 | ||
| 3 | 11×34 | LAZZURA | Chris Waller | Craig Williams | 8 | 56kg | 82 | ||
| 4 | 32×1 | LADY SHENANDOAH | Chris Waller | Zac Lloyd (a) | 6 | 56kg | 74 | ||
| 5 | 8x21x32 | DECLICHY BOULEVARD | Chris Waller | Nash Rawiller | 4 | 56kg | 72 | ||
| 6 | 41445×07 | MISS BUSSLINGER | Kris Lees | Dylan Gibbons | 5 | 56kg | 72 | ||
| 7 | 34×11 | HARLEM QUEEN | Nathan Doyle | Sam Clipperton | 2 | 56kg | 67 | ||
| 8 | 112 | WINGS OF DESIRE | Michael Freedman | Jason Collett | 9 | 56kg | 67 | ||
| 9 | 56×43 | POWERS OF OPAL (NZ) | John Sargent | Tommy Berry | 1 | 56kg | 64 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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