Autumn Glow cruises in Randwick trial as Vauban, Buckaroo, Stefi Magnetica impress

Boom filly Autumn Glow didn’t need to win at today’s Randwick trials to press her claims for Saturday’s Surround Stakes while imports Vauban and Buckaroo both showed they will be a force in Group 1 staying tests.

Boom filly Autumn Glow didn’t need to win to press her claims for Saturday’s Group 1 Surround Stakes after her close third to speedy Schwarz in a Randwick barrier trial on Monday morning.

Autumn Glow, unbeaten in three starts, was ridden by Zac Lloyd in the 1050m heat and after the filly jumped in front, she was eased back to fourth on settling down and remained in cruise control throughout the trial before finishing just over two lengths away in third.

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The talented Schwarz, ridden by comeback jockey Tommy Berry, was keen to go faster and won the trial easily, stopping the clock at 1m 02.8s including a final 600m sectional of 33.77s.

Trainer Chris Waller will determine how well Autumn Glow comes through the trial then discuss with owner John Messara whether the filly resumes in the $750,000 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

1⃣ Schwarz
2⃣ Heat Missile
3⃣ Autumn Glow

The @JohnOSheaRacing sprinter overcomes a slow start to win a trial at Randwick on Monday. All eyes on how the @cwallerracing filly comes through her third placing with a view to the Surround Stakes. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/fSjTZtljEs

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) February 23, 2025

Stefi Magnetica, trained by Bjorn Baker and winner of the Stradbroke Handicap last season, ran a blinder in her 1050m trial, finishing strongly for second behind Kibou.

“We are getting ‘Stefi’ ready for the Canterbury Stakes first-up (March 8),’’ Baker said.

“Then the plan is to go to the George Ryder Stakes (March 22) and then the Doncaster Mile (April 5).

“She ran a very good fourth to Mr Brightside in the Champions Mile last spring so I have no issue with her at 1600m.’’

Celestial Legend, the reigning Doncaster Mile champ, ran only eighth and was beaten six lengths behind Just Fine in the 1200m heat to open the trials session.

The Les Bridge-trained Celestial Legend was eased back to last early in the trial but then he lost contact with the pack, dropping back four lengths behind the second last horse.

But Celestial Legend, under Tyler Schiller, started to warm into his task and finished in a bunch behind Just Fine and Wymark who had broken four lengths clear.

Celestial Legend was full of running past the post and was in front 200m after the finish.

Buckaroo and Vauban, who ran eighth and 11th respectively in the Melbourne Cup last year, both trialled well on Monday morning.

Waller’s Buckaroo, who won the Group 1 Underwood Stakes and ran second in the Caulfield Cup last spring, settled at the rear of his 1050m trial and despite Berry keeping a tight reign on the talented stayer, he was closing off nicely when ninth behind Yoshinobu.

Vauban, the Australian Bloodstock-owned stayer now with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable, showed he was on target for races like the Tancred Stakes and Sydney Cup when he finished a close fourth behind Yabby Pump in a 1200m heat.

Originally published as Autumn Glow cruises in Randwick trial as Vauban, Buckaroo, Stefi Magnetica impress