Autumn Glow’s much‑anticipated clash with Sheza Alibi didn’t materialise the way punters expected at Royal Randwick, with Chris Waller’s odds‑on favourite resuming in trademark style to score a commanding first‑up victory in the 2026 Winx Stakes results, immediately thrusting herself into The Everest conversation.

2026 Winx Stakes winner Autumn Glow was too good fresh adding a fourth Group 1 to her record. Photo: Bradley Photos.

Fresh off her first career defeat in the Queen Elizabeth, the daughter of The Autumn Sun returned to her preferred 1400m at Randwick and was simply too sharp, extending her flawless record at the trip and securing her fourth Group 1 in dominant fashion.

Waller praised the quality of opposition and the significance of seeing headline mares clash early in the carnival.

“It was great that Peter Moody (Sheza Alibi’s co‑trainer) and the owners brought the mare up to Sydney,” he told Sky Thoroughbred Central.

“This was the first round of competition running these headline horses.

“People come to the races because they want to see these great horses racing each other. We don’t always want the clashes, but it is important for the sport.

“We have come out of round one pretty well but I’m pretty sure there will be round two or round three.

“We know how good she is, so nothing has changed. We just needed her to come back and show where she is.”

Given a perfectly judged ride by James McDonald, Autumn Glow ($1.70F) settled just behind the speed before cruising up on the turn, sweeping past Midnight Dynamite and drawing clear to defeat Sheza Alibi by 1.39 lengths, with Gringotts running on for a distant third at 20/1.

Waller said her fitness was right where he wanted it.

“Peter said Sheza Alibi was 82.7 percent so we might be 83.1 percent. It is hard to quantify,” he said.

“She was ready to go because I didn’t want her to have a tough time first‑up. If he had to reach beyond what she was fit enough to do then that is tough. She was forward enough for sure.”

The win marked Waller’s 10th Winx Stakes triumph and fourth in succession, while McDonald was full of admiration for the mare’s instincts and athleticism.

“She’s so special, just her gate speed and tractability,” he said.

“She knows when she’s in a race because from the 500m to the 400m, it’s like she just powers into herself and just builds herself, she just knows.

“It’s an incredible feeling and even though she puts herself in good spots, for her to have that audacity to fill her lungs up and know it’s go time, just let rip, it’s just incredible.”

Sheza Alibi lost no admirers with her brave second in her four‑year‑old return, with jockey Luke Nolen confident she’ll improve as she steps back to her preferred mile.

“Terrific,” Nolen said.

“We are in for a really good prep. She kept closing. The other mare has had a few more pre‑seasons than we have.

“She (Autumn Glow) was a bit sharp for us today. She (Sheza Alibi) deserves to be in this company.”

Autumn Glow now boasts 12 wins from 13 starts, and her explosive return has sparked discussion about a possible drop to 1200m for the $20 million The Everest on October 17.

Waller was measured when asked about her The Everest credentials.

“We might be wishing we were racing Sheza Alibi,” he joked.

“But, we won’t worry about that today. There are so many things to analyse – the horse’s health first of all, sectional times, the likely competition.”

Her Winx Stakes victory saw her firm sharply in futures markets, tightening from $13 into $6 to sit second in The Everest 2026 betting at Ladbrokes behind Hong Kong star Ka Ying Rising — a clear sign that Saturday’s performance has put Australia’s reigning WFA queen right back at the centre of the spring carnival spotlight.

2026 Winx Stakes Results