September
AugustGlow-up
Another $1.04 favourite got up last week with the announcement of Autumn Glow as Australia’s horse of the year.
I find it mildly disturbing that such an esteemed panel as the handicappers, stewards, administrators and media who vote for this award can have so little idea.
Time and again their recency bias comes to the fore as achievements in spring appear to carry about half as much weight as those in autumn.
No doubt Autumn Glow was very well placed through 2025/26, but her three Group 1 wins were in the Epsom (with 54.5kg, beating Fully Lit and Pericles), the Verry Elleegant (no one’s idea of a championship race) and the George Ryder (ditto).
She also won the Golden Eagle, an age-restricted event carrying no black type.
She contested one open-age championship event and got rolled by 2½ lengths with no excuses as $1.30 favourite.
When it comes to serious races open to all comers, both Via Sistina and Sir Delius had superior records.
And it’s beyond a joke that Autumn Glow was also allegedly our champion “middle-distance” galloper — she’s never won beyond 1600 metres!
Cremorne (Vic)