EMMA FREEDMAN: Autumn Glow is the raging favourite for The Golden Eagle but has one weakness in technique

Australian racing has forever thrived off having an equine hero to celebrate and champion.

A horse of character and exceptional ability who can capture the publics’ imagination.

It’s possible the newest incarnation of thoroughbred legend is Autumn Glow.

A mare who possesses rare talent, a wonderful demeanour and an x factor it’s hard to put your finger on.

A short-priced favourite for this Saturday’s Golden Eagle, the $10 million event for four-year-olds to be held at Royal Randwick for the first time this year, she is undefeated in her seven career runs. The new perfect one.

Our love for the forever perfect one in Black Caviar will never dip, as will devotion to the record breaking Winx, the OG Phar Lap who inspired a nation in tough times, and the three-time Cup hero Makybe Diva.

Everyone has their favourite horses of times gone by, not always classified as heroes purely on talent, but also because of their peculiarities.

The grey flash Chautauqua and all his quirks, Might and Power and his front running ways. Of a similar mould, Pride of Jenni, although slightly less qualified as a champion, a cult hero for the way she breaks hearts.

This mare by The Autumn Sun started life on a pastures of Newhaven Park in Boorowa in NSW, before being raised on the green grass of Silverdale Farm.

The stable’s opinion of Autumn Glow has been strong from day one of her stepping foot into Rosehill; she’s something different.

She was the star attraction of the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale in 2023, a sale reserved for the highest quality youngsters with the richest of pedigrees from the best farms along the east coast.

Notes from experts on the ground about the filly, full of typical breeding buff parlance, told the story: “Great shoulder and girth, balanced, big hip and strong over the quarters, good head/eye/nostril, good width through the hocks, good natural muscle, correct, great mover, lovely filly”.

The hammer knocked down to Arrowfield Supremo John Messara and partners Hermitage for a sale topping $1.8m. He noted after the sale “she was something a bit special”.

Duly sent to Chris Waller for training, and while it hasn’t been all smooth sailing with a couple of setbacks in her three-year-old year, she has managed to keep a seven from seven record in tact including her first Group 1 in the Epsom last start, carrying a weight that many deemed overkill for such a lightly raced mare, yet to win at racings highest level.

The stable’s opinion of Autumn Glow has been strong from day one of her stepping foot into Rosehill; she’s something different.

She proved that to jockey James McDonald in her first couple of lifetime trials, where she was able to pick up well credentialed rivals with consummate professionalism.

He has forgone a plumb book of rides at Flemington Saturday to partner the mare in the Golden Eagle with an eye to the future, knowing she is a potential heir apparent to the likes of Via Sistina. Asked to sum her up in a world, with a twinkle in his voice; “Ohhh La La”.

She’s not entirely faultless in the way she races, often hitting a flat spot around the bend, needing significant rousing from hoop on board.

But she has tenacity and fight and can skip away from rivals with seeming ease in the concluding stages of each battle.

The way she carries herself is simply class. Cool, calm, collected. But with a confidence that often lends to her being called a Queen. You can’t take your eyes off her.

Saturday’s affair at Royal Randwick will be the toughest test of her career but she looks incredibly well placed.

If she were to win, we could be well on the path to looking a new greatness in the face.

It’s no cake walk, with some inform Group 1 milers from around the world set to challenge her like never before.

A victory would not only be fruitful for the hip pockets of those involved with this glamour girl, but also for racing of the future.

A new superstar is required with a changing of the guard imminent, and this would set her well on her way to truly capturing the hearts and minds of racegoers the country over.