Autumn blow: Star filly Autumn Glow injured, ruled out of Flight Stakes

Champion jockey James McDonald’s chances of celebrating his 100th career Group 1 winner at Royal Randwick on Saturday was dealt a cruel blow with the sensational race-eve scratching of Autumn Glow.

Champion jockey James McDonald’s chances of celebrating his 100th career Group 1 winner at Royal Randwick on Saturday was dealt a cruel blow with the sensational race-eve scratching of Autumn Glow.

Unbeaten Autumn Glow was the $1.50 favourite for the $750,000 Flight Stakes (1600m) before trainer Chris Waller was forced to withdraw the filly after she was found to have a knee problem.

• BET LIKE A PRO: Get expert tips from our team of professional punters – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – in Racenet’s all-new Pro Tips section. Subscribe now!

McDonald, who goes to Randwick on 99 career Group 1 wins, is now relying on the Waller-trained Kovalica in the $1.5 million Epsom (1600m) to raise the bat for his century.

Sydney’s reigning premier jockey doesn’t have a ride in the other Group 1 race on the program, the $750,000 The Metropolitan (1600m).

Autumn Glow was showing signs of mild lameness in her right front leg and a veterinary examination found a minor bone chip in the filly’s knee.

Owner John Messara said his heart sank when he saw trainer Chris Waller’s number come up on his phone early on Friday morning.

“Chris rang to tell me the news – it’s devastating,’’ Messara said.

“Autumn Glow has a minor bone chip in her knee that will need surgery and she will be out for two months.

“You couldn’t believe something like this would happen so close to her ‘Grand Final’.

“She had worked well earlier this week and everything seemed to be going smoothly for the Flight Stakes.

“But the bottom line is that Autumn Glow will be fine and hopefully back bigger and better in autumn. What do they say? ‘That’s racing!’.’’

• Portelli eyeing Epsom upset with underrated Kintyre

Waller released a statement confirming Autumn Glow’s knee issue. “She’s a very exciting prospect, and we are confident she will make a full recovery.’’

In revised Flight Stakes betting, Snow In May is now the $2.70 TAB Fixed Odds favourite to give the new training partnership of John O’Shea and Tom Charlton their first Group 1 win, while another Waller-trained filly, Lady Shenandoah, is pressing at $2.80.

Originally published as Autumn blow: Star filly Autumn Glow injured, ruled out of Flight Stakes