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It seems inevitable that a Group 1 will fall the way of unbeaten mare Autumn Glow and it could be just a matter of weeks away after her spectacular return at Randwick.

There were doubts about her handling a heavy 10 and the unknown of how sharp she’d be at 1100m for the first time and while the margin in the Group 3 Toy Show was the closest she’s experienced the win was as dominant as any other.

Punter’s Intelligence data showed she was responsible for the meeting’s fastest last 600m of 34.23 and the equal fastest last 200m of 11.66 and she did it in the style of a horse that’s much better suited over further.

She was put under pressure to chase around the turn and James McDonald was at her all the way home as she reeled in the lighter weighed Gangsta Granny looking quite comfortable late.

Her last 600m was over two lengths faster than the runner-up, as was her final 200m, and you’d imagine she’ll only get better over more ground and on a dry track if she can find one.

Next stop is likely the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes over 1300m with Chris Waller indicating the Epsom Handicap (1600m) could be her first Group 1 opportunity.

The runner-up can be placed to advantage away from Autumn Glow, who has now beaten her twice.

The honours in the Group 1 Winx Stakes went to the champ Via Sistina, who also proved herself in heavy ground, with a solid win but it was hard to miss the performance of Aeliana.

Had she not been a shade slow away it might have been an even more interesting finish but she’s run a sharp 34.46 for her last 600m and her last 200m of 11.86 was a length faster than the winner.

It’s not an easy thing to give Via Sistina a head start so Aeliana has proven herself to be a star in the making to be giving a now 10-time Group 1 winner such a fright at her first run under weight-for-age conditions.

She gave a glimpse that the transition to open class racing was within her reach as she mixed it with the boys through the autumn, culminating in thumping them in Australian Derby, so she should continue to improve through the spring.

The other flashing light run was from fourth placed Ceolwulf who did a fair bit of work on a couple of fronts and was still able to reel off a 34.87 last 600m to be third fastest of the race.

He’s run the fastest splits between the 1000m and 600m then had to concede ground by tracking wide around the turn as the winners stuck closer to the inside.

His 400m-200m of 11.18 was 0.02 outside Aeliana’s race best time and his last 200m of 11.93 was also second best to her. His return was excellent and we’ve seen what he’s capable of when he gets the breaks.

The Princess Series for the fillies got underway in the Group 2 Sintoro Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) and it was Savvy Hallie who was able to draw first blood but there’ll be a couple of chasers eyeing a rematch.

After sitting outside the leader, Savvy Hallie put the race away with an 11.67 from the 400m-200m.

Group 1 placed filly Within The Law was a major closer as she clocked the fastest last 200m of 12.65 to get within three quarters of a length while Queen Of Clubs stepped up to the plate clocking the fastest last 600m of 36.17.

The latter is crying out for the 1400m of the Tea Rose next month and it’ll be interesting to see how she and Within The Law, already proven at a mile, fare once they get out in distance.

Lazzura was the other standout performer on a day where eye-catching sectionals weren’t as plentiful as usual as she’s run a booming 34.55 for the last 600m in winning the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m).

That time was three lengths faster than anything else in the race and it all looked pretty easy on the line.

There was also merit in General Salute’s effort to run into third. He was ahead of Lazzura on the turn but the mare took inside runs while he wound up down the outside and he’s run 35.02 for his last 600m, his last 200m was a length slower than the winner in 12.05.

Fastest last 600m: Autumn Glow 34.23

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