The Seven Sunrise Stakes at Randwick on Saturday is a must-see race, featuring Australia’s darling Autumn Glow.
Seven Sunrise Stakes odds have the mare at $1.22, so she’s skinny in the betting and expected to dominate the Group 2 contest.
Punters should be aware that Lindermann, Aeliana, and Lady Shenandoah are also nominated in Melbourne, so they could be scratched from this race.
Seven Sunrise Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw
| 1. Ceolwulf (5) J: Chad Schofield 59kg 66×52 T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming 5th of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m, slow going 4.5 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 59kg at $61. Second run from a spell ran on strongly from last on the turn; 2nd of 9 in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1600m, 1.75 len behind Lindermann with 59kg at $3.60. Likely to be giving these too much start, place best. | |||
| 2. Gringotts (4) J: Nash Rawiller 59kg 924×3 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months made some head-way from midfield; 3rd of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Autumn Glow with 59kg at $21. Previously second-up 2nd of 12 in the G1 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill on March 21 over 1500m, slow going 2.75 len behind Autumn Glow with 59kg at $19. Nice return in the Winx and will be fighting out the minor placings. | |||
| 4. Autumn Glow (1) J: James McDonald 57kg 113×1 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months favourite; won by 1.4 len in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Sheza Alibi carrying 57kg at $1.70. Previously second-up favourite; came from midfield and won by a long-neck in the G1 Verry Elleegant (Chipping Norton) Stakes at this track on February 28 over 1600m on a rain affected track defeating Aeliana with 57kg at $1.26. Champion mare who will prove too sharp for these. | |||
| 5. Aeliana (2) J: Jason Collett 57kg 211×0 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Dual acceptor. Second-up. First-up after five months ran last of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m, on a slow track; 10 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 57kg at $14. Previously second-up 2nd of 9 in the G1 Verry Elleegant (Chipping Norton) Stakes at this track on February 28 over 1600m, on a slow track; long-neck behind Autumn Glow with 57kg at $12. Looks tested in this field. | |||
| 6. Idle Flyer (3) J: Zac Lloyd 57kg 11×64 T: Matthew Smith | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming 6th of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Autumn Glow with 57kg at $31. Second run from a spell tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 8 in the G2 Tramway Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1400m, 3 len behind Headley Grange carrying 56kg at $2.45. Should be near her top after this run, place best. | |||
| 3. Lindermann (3) Scratched: | |||
| 7. Lady Shenandoah (5) Scratched: | |||
Autumn Glow has come up trumps in the Seven Sunrise Stakes barrier draw, securing the coveted inside gate. From there, she should have plenty of options, and we expect James McDonald to take advantage by having her settle on or near the speed.
Gringotts, drawn in barrier 6, has the early pace to push forward, while Idle Flyer is also likely to take up a prominent position and could apply pressure to the $1.22 favourite.
Given the size of the Seven Sunrise Stakes field, the wide barriers should have less impact than usual. Ceolwulf, who has drawn the widest gate, is likely to settle towards the rear regardless, so the barrier is unlikely to significantly alter his race pattern.
Seven Sunrise Stakes Form Guide 2026
We liked the way he found the line behind Lindermann last start, which was an encouraging sign for the rest of his spring campaign. He’s a proven winner at the top level, and if he’s able to be within a length of Autumn Glow, he could go past her like Sir Delius did in the autumn. He’s an interesting runner, and he shouldn’t be overlooked.
| 1. Ceolwulf (5) J: Chad Schofield 59kg 66×52 T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming 5th of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m, slow going 4.5 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 59kg at $61. Second run from a spell ran on strongly from last on the turn; 2nd of 9 in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1600m, 1.75 len behind Lindermann with 59kg at $3.60. Likely to be giving these too much start, place best. | |||
The pace of the race might not be run to suit. He’ll likely settle off the speed, and his best performances have come against big fields. This race won’t be ideal for him, but he’s a quality type. The $12 odds are on the shorter side of value considering the pattern of the race, but he’ll likely drift on race day depending on how many scratchings there are.
| 2. Gringotts (4) J: Nash Rawiller 59kg 924×3 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months made some head-way from midfield; 3rd of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Autumn Glow with 59kg at $21. Previously second-up 2nd of 12 in the G1 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill on March 21 over 1500m, slow going 2.75 len behind Autumn Glow with 59kg at $19. Nice return in the Winx and will be fighting out the minor placings. | |||
| 3. Lindermann (3) Scratched: | |||
She is an absolute superstar, and she is the odds-on favourite for a good reason. It takes a very good horse to beat Autumn Glow, as we found out in the Autumn, and we’re unsure if any of her rivals on Saturday are good enough to topple the Queen. She commands the attention in this race, and her perfect spring carnival should remain intact.
| 4. Autumn Glow (1) J: James McDonald 57kg 113×1 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months favourite; won by 1.4 len in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Sheza Alibi carrying 57kg at $1.70. Previously second-up favourite; came from midfield and won by a long-neck in the G1 Verry Elleegant (Chipping Norton) Stakes at this track on February 28 over 1600m on a rain affected track defeating Aeliana with 57kg at $1.26. Champion mare who will prove too sharp for these. | |||
We would prefer to see Aeliana run in Melbourne, where she has a much better chance of winning. However, she tested Autumn Glow in the autumn, so she’s more than capable of winning this race. The big test is trying to improve on a tough run last start, but Waller has her right, and upsets can happen in these sorts of races.
| 5. Aeliana (2) J: Jason Collett 57kg 211×0 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Dual acceptor. Second-up. First-up after five months ran last of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m, on a slow track; 10 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 57kg at $14. Previously second-up 2nd of 9 in the G1 Verry Elleegant (Chipping Norton) Stakes at this track on February 28 over 1600m, on a slow track; long-neck behind Autumn Glow with 57kg at $12. Looks tested in this field. | |||
We expected a bit more from Idle Flyer last time out, but she still managed to beat most of the field home. She will only improve with racing this season, but she might not be forward enough to beat Autumn Glow. A top-three run is possible if she gets a good run throughout, so consider her.
| 6. Idle Flyer (3) J: Zac Lloyd 57kg 11×64 T: Matthew Smith | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming 6th of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Autumn Glow with 57kg at $31. Second run from a spell tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 8 in the G2 Tramway Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1400m, 3 len behind Headley Grange carrying 56kg at $2.45. Should be near her top after this run, place best. | |||
| 7. Lady Shenandoah (5) Scratched: | |||