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By Ray Hickson

Champion trainer Chris Waller didn’t bank on his unbeaten mare Autumn Glow attempting to win Saturday’s Group 1 $1.5m TAB Epsom Handicap (1600m) from the outside barrier.

Trainer Chris Waller (Pic: Bradley Photos).

But, ultimately, it doesn’t change the job she has ahead of her as he says you always need a bit of luck in the big Randwick mile races and he’ll be backing her ability to get it done.

Autumn Glow, aiming for seven from seven, will have 13 opposing her as she strives to fulfil the mission Waller has set her on since the start of the spring and that would cushion the blow of drawing gate 14.

It’s the same barrier Ceolwulf jumped from as he won the race a year ago.

“I just want to tick that Group 1 win with her, it won’t be easy but gee she’s a good horse,’’ Waller said.

“She’s got X-factor and that’s a big help in a handicap.

“You still need luck in running but when you have the X-factor you can have a bit of bad luck and still be able to win.”

Four-year-olds have dominated the Epsom in the past 20 years with 13 winning and Autumn Glow, $1.90 with TAB on Tuesday, could make it a hat-trick following Ceolwulf last year and Rediener in 2023.

The Epsom will be the mare’s first attempt at a mile but Waller said she’s had the right grounding, with wins in the Toy Show at 1100m and the Theo Marks at 1300m, to go with a pedigree that suggests it won’t be what stops her.

“The first-up win we tested the waters over a short distance and got away with it on a wet track,’’ he said.

“The second-up run was brilliant and she’s trained on well.

“I think she will be fine (at the mile), dad was no problem, she’s got that laid back attitude and beautiful action and that will help her.”

Kerrin McEvoy, whose lone Epsom win was on Probabeel from barrier 15 in 2020, put the mare through her paces in an exhibition gallop last weekend.

Waller has just the two runners in the Epsom, with Lord Penman joining Autumn Glow, as he elected not to back up last weekend’s Shannon Stakes winner Waterford.

Lord Penman was disappointing when unplaced as favourite, coming off a five week gap, in a benchmark race at Randwick two weeks ago.

“I think the top seed is going to be hard to beat,’’ Waller said.

“I’m very happy, Kerrin was rapt and since her last start win she’s ticked over nicely at home.”

If Autumn Glow does continue her unbeaten run it’ll set up an interesting decision for connections and Waller, having claimed that Group 1 win, as the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) looms on November 1 at Randwick.

She’s a warm $2.80 favourite with TAB.

“She’s going to win Group 1 races but it’s always good to get that first one off,’’ he said.

“Once we’ve done that we can pick and choose where we go a little bit but we’ve identified this race for a long time.”

It’s been 13 years since a Newcastle Cup winner has taken out the Group 1 $750,000 Asahi Super Dry Metropolitan (2400m) and that’s the double facing Waller’s emerging stayer Soul Of Spain.

Glencadam Gold in 2012 was the latest to complete that double.

Waller has five runners, plus an emergency, in the staying contest with Kingston Town winner Birdman joined by Tancred runner-up More Felons, Etna Rosso and Travolta with Strathtay on the reserves bench.

Autumn Glow wins the Theo Marks at Rosehill

He said there’s not a lot between Soul Of Spain and Birdman, who have drawn 11 and 17 respectively, as he chases a seventh win in the race.

“Birdman was terrific last week, he’s very well suited by the handicap. Soul Of Spain gets in really well with only a half kilo penalty,’’ he said.

“Birdman has that really sharp form whereas with Soul Of Spain all we’re going off really is Newcastle. He will definitely run the distance, Birdman should run the distance.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Epsom meeting at Randwick