All eyes are on the Seven Sunrise Stakes at Randwick on Saturday, which features a small but electric field of thoroughbreds.
Headlining the Seven Sunrise Stakes odds is Autumn Glow, who looks to extend her impressive winning record with another big performance.
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. | |||
| 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 won the Seven Sunrise Stakes barrier draw after securing the inside draw. She will be able to land wherever she wants, and we expect James McDonald to have her riding the speed.
Gringotts, who has barrier 6, could show early speed, and we also have Idle Flyer taking a forward role to put pressure on the $1.22 favourite.
Due to the size of the Seven Sunrise Stakes field, drawing wide won’t have much of an impact, and Ceolwulf, who drew widest, will settle at the back of the field regardless.
Seven Sunrise Stakes Form Guide 2026
He was taking ground off Lindermann last start, and it was good seeing his turn-of-foot return. He’s a classy Group 1 performer, and if Autumn Glow isn’t at her very best, he’s good enough to cause an upset. We wouldn’t be ruling him out at the double-figure odds, especially if they inject some speed into the race.
| 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. | |||
His run for third last start was a top effort, and he’s coming along nicely for this spring campaign. It’s going to be a tough race tactically for him, but he’s another runner who could love some pace in the run. If one of the runners goes too hard in front, Gringotts is good enough to storm over the top.
| 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. | |||
Lindermann is likely to avoid Autumn Glow and head to Melbourne, but if he runs here, he’s a good chance of running second or third. He controlled the tempo in front against a similar field last start, and he could get a soft lead. Our only worry is that he’s trained by Chris Waller, so his chances of taking on the fancied stablemate are slim.
| 3. Lindermann (3) Scratched: | |||
The star of the show and the best horse racing on Saturday. She is an absolute star, and she was too good for Sheza Alibi last start, who has since won the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes in Melbourne. It’s tough form to look away from, and we can’t see the stellar mare being beaten on Saturday. However, there isn’t much to get excited about at the odds.
| 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. | |||
She is another Waller-trained mare who is likely to run in Melbourne against an easier field. She was bitterly disappointing last start, but she didn’t get any favours early, and punters should expect a better effort on Saturday, no matter where she races. If she runs here, she could track the speed and give Autumn Glow a challenge, which she has done in the past.
| 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. | |||
Her run for fourth last start only barely got a pass mark. We’re not sure where to place her in the Seven Sunrise Stakes, and that makes her tough to back. The $23 odds are telling of her chances, but she could run in the money, especially against a small field. However, she might be competing for second.
| 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. | |||
It appears as though Waller has nominated his runners so this race goes ahead. However, he’s likely to scratch some of them, including Lady Shenandoah, who is the favourite to win the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes in Melbourne. However, she could pick up some more black type, as she should run in the money at Randwick. It’s a tough decision for connections, but we would run her here.
| 7. Lady Shenandoah (5) Scratched: | |||