Matty Stewart, Adam McGrath and Chris Roots wrap up the opening Group 1 of the Spring Carnival on The Wrap Up, with Royal Randwick playing host to a star-studded edition of the Winx Stakes that delivered the highly anticipated clash between Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi. The race had been billed as the first blockbuster showdown of the new season and it more than lived up to expectations, with Australia’s best mares launching their spring campaigns in style.
The boys start with the feature itself, where all eyes were on Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi after a week of sustained hype leading into the race. With Midnight Dynamite ensuring a genuine tempo, the race unfolded perfectly for Autumn Glow, who settled in an ideal trailing position before producing her trademark acceleration in the straight. The Chris Waller-trained star proved exactly why she entered the race as a short-priced favourite, recording her fourth Group 1 victory and giving Waller a remarkable tenth success in the race.
The boys break down how the race was run, the advantage gained by those settling close to the speed, and why Autumn Glow’s tactical speed continues to make her one of the most versatile horses in training. They also discuss the performance of Sheza Alibi, who lost no admirers in defeat after overcoming an awkward start to finish a clear second. While Autumn Glow won the battle, the panel debates whether the carnival’s biggest rivalry is only just getting started, with potential rematches looming later in the spring.
Attention then turns to the runners behind the leading pair, with Gringotts producing a strong performance to fill third placing at odds, while Lady Shenandoah continued her consistent form with a solid fourth. The boys assess which horses were making their runs late, who may be looking for further distances as the spring progresses, and which performances were better than they looked on paper.
They also discuss the disappointing runs of some of the more established names, including Fangirl and Lindermann, and whether those horses can improve sharply deeper into their preparations. With many of these runners targeting races such as the King Charles III Stakes, Cox Plate and other major spring features, the discussion focuses heavily on what the Winx Stakes result means for the rest of the carnival.
Beyond the feature, the boys touch on the broader Randwick meeting and identify the horses that caught their eye heading into the coming weeks. With the spring now officially underway, there are already several runners emerging as key horses to follow, while others may be worth forgiving after first-up performances that suggested bigger targets lie ahead.