Winx-level backing for unbeaten star to go the distance in Queen Elizabeth

Punters are confident Autumn Glow will take the step to 2000m and extend her perfect record to 12 on Saturday, backing her at levels not seen since the great Winx seven years ago to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Autumn Glow was solid at $1.40 on Friday for the $5 million headline race on day two of the Championships at Randwick, but TAB senior trader Tim Ryan said she could start even shorter after dominating betting.

Ryan said more than 90 per cent of money held on the race was for Autumn Glow, which includes a bet of $70,000 and many more of $20,000 and $10,000. He had not seen the “staggering” percentage on one horse in a race since Winx’s farewell win in the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

“Our punters would say she’s close to a $1.10 chance,” Ryan said.

“We are holding $1.40 for now, with her first go at 2000m. Although I don’t think it will be too much of an issue. She’s so strong at the end of her races.

“The only fly in the ointment is if these Europeans make it a real test.

“She started $1.05 on the world pool her last two starts, and she should be close to that, so I think if anything, she will start shorter.

“The multi money is just endless. We are pushing towards $1 million in multis through her and that will grow towards $3 million on Saturday.”

He said TAB was holding nearly $200,000 on the multi play of $1.60 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint favourite Tempted into Autumn Glow.

The group 1 $2 million Sydney Cup (3200m) lost Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Campaldino on Friday after the stable scratched because of evidence the gelding had a cardiac arrhythmia. Tests revealed signs of the condition on Tuesday.

Before the scratching, Campaldino was a $7.50 chance in what Ryan said would be the betting race of the day.

“There are lots of different form lines – the Manion Cup, the Chairman’s, the Tancred and the Roy Higgins. You could make an argument for all four form lines,” he said.

Ryan said the best backed runners had been Machine Gun Gracie and Litzdeel.

In the group 1 Queen Of The Turf (1600m), front-running sensation Pride Of Jenni had been best supported, firming into $3.60 ahead of Lady Shenandoah and Treasurethe Moment ($4).

“I believe Perfumist is going to the Wellington Cup so that takes away one of the chasers,” Ryan said.

“Originally, I wanted to oppose Jenni, back to 1600m off the gut-buster, but I’m weakening now Perfumist is out because I’m not sure who is left to do the chasing. Still, I think Lady Shenandoah and Treasurethe Moment are better set up than her.”

Profoundly ($3.20) had gained the most support in the group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) and the biggest mover on the program was Percy Sykes Stakes hope Reachin Out, which was backed from $8 into a $3.40 favourite.

In the Provincial-Midway Championship final, Racing NSW veterinarians examined David Atkins-trained Buffalo and Damien Lane-prepared Oakfield Saturn on Friday and declared them fit to run. They were deemed lame on Wednesday at initial inspections.