Autumn Glow so bright in Up and Coming

The Autumn Sun’s super-exciting daughter Autumn Glow became the first filly to win the $250,000 ATC Up and Coming S. 1300m G3 with an assertive two-length victory at only her second start. 

Snitzel’s promising son Wanaruah, a home-bred for Fernrigg Farm, was 2nd and Godolphin’s Snack Bar was 3rd.

Since its first running in 1979, the Up and Coming Stakes has compiled an imposing list of winners including Champion Sires Snitzel, Fastnet Rock & Exceed and Excel.

Raced by Arrowfield & Hermitage Thoroughbreds, Autumn Glow is her sire’s 5th stakeswinner – all at Group level – and is now likely to head to the final two races in the NSW Princess Series, the Tea Rose S. G2 on 21 September and the Flight S. G1 on 5 October.

Autumn Glow charges away with the G3 Up And Coming Stakes! @KPMcEvoy eases her up over the line and @cwallerracing might have another VERY good one on his hands 👏🌟 pic.twitter.com/ggFhXl8W7U

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 31, 2024

Notably relaxed before the race, Autumn Glow impressed jockey Kerrin McEvoy with her big stride, responsiveness and progress since her debut.

“Just going to the gates she switched on from the first run to the second run. She sort of towed me around and I thought ‘she is on the money’. Even after I got into that nice spot and I was asking her to come back and settle she wanted to overdo it a tiny bit. She is still learning her craft which is exciting again. It was a brilliant win by her.”

Trainer Chris Waller added, “She’s a very, very serious horse, she’s got a very bright future. Today was a bigger level to what she won on debut and she had to take the necessary step, but she did.’’

Autumn Glow was bred by Newhaven Park Stud from South Africa’s Champion Sprinter Via Africa (by Storm Cat’s grandson Var), also the dam of Snitzel’s Group 1-winning son In The Congo, now standing at Newgate Farm. Via Africa’s only other daughter Protea is due to foal to Dundeel this Spring. 

Joining Team Arrowfield in the Rosehill winning owners’ room to celebrate Autumn Glow’s victory was Steve Grant of Silverdale Farm which, along with Shrone Bloodstock, purchased the filly as a $600,000 weanling from Newhaven Park at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.

Silverdale then offered Autumn Glow at Inglis Easter 2023 where she was knocked down for a sale-topping $1.8 million to Arrowfield & Hermitage. 

Autumn Glow’s owners, sire, trainer and jockey enjoyed a second success on the Rosehill card when 4YO Arrowfield graduate Matusalem (The Autumn Sun-Miss Dodwell) scored his fourth career win over 2000 metres.