Bookies can't split Lady Shenandoah and Autumn Glow as spring markets are revealed
It's a debate that has raged for months with opinions evenly divided after both of trainer Chris Waller 's star fillies completed perfect seasons.
Even the bookies are having trouble separating them with TAB Fixed Odds price assessors rating Autumn Glow and Lady Shenandoah as equal favourites for some of the biggest races of the spring.
TAB is today opening betting on many of the major spring carnival races and have Autumn Glow and Lady Shenandoah sharing favouritism at $6 for the Group 1 $1.5 million Epsom Handicap and $4.50 for the $10 million Golden Eagle.
Another of Waller's outstanding fillies, the runaway ATC Australian Derby winner Aeliana, is on the second line of Epsom betting at $8 and fourth favourite for the Golden Eagle at $11.
The release of the TAB markets is timely as both Autumn Glow and Lady Shenandoah returned to pre-training on Monday.
Autumn Glow's owner John Messara said it was too early to lock in her spring program but confirmed the Epsom Handicap and Golden Eagle were likely targets.
'We have all our options open but at this stage the first Group 1 for Autumn Glow is likely to be the Epsom Handicap,'' Messara said.
'There is also the Golden Eagle to consider but it all depends on Autumn Glow and what Chris thinks is best for her.
'She has spelled really well, she's physically bigger and stronger now, and it's exciting to think what she could do in the spring.''
Autumn Glow is unbeaten in four starts including the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes and Listed Darby Munro Stakes.
� Autumn Glow proves she’s the real deal and wins the G2 Tea Rose Stakes at just her third start and remains unbeaten! @cwallerracing | @mcacajamez pic.twitter.com/wfzgZHg4MD
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 21, 2024
She was the hot favourite for the Group 1 Flight Stakes last spring only to be withdrawn on race-eve with a minor injury.
In her absence, Lady Shenandoah won the Flight Stakes in a canter by more than three lengths.
Lady Shenandoah trained on to win two more Group 1 races, the Surround Stakes and Coolmore Classic, to complete her five-start unbeaten three-year-old season.
Make way for the lady!
Lady Shenandoah makes a mess of the G1 Flight Stakes with a dominant win for @ZacLloydx and @cwallerracing! @aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/GAlwl6Ber6
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 5, 2024
Timeform ratings have Lady Shenandoah and Aeliana as the top fillies this season with peak 119 figures ahead of Autumn Glow at 117 and dual Oaks winner Treasurethe Moment on 115.
TAB is opening big-race markets on a number of the spring carnival features including the Golden Rose, King Charles III Stakes, The Metropolitan, Flight Stakes, Coolmore Stud Stakes, Champions Stakes, Champions Mile, Champions Sprint and The Kosciuszko.
Godolphin filly Tempted is the $4.50 Flight Stakes favourite with Golden Slipper winner Marhoona at $6 while the past two King Charles III Stakes winners, Fangirl and Ceolwulf, are at $4.50 and $6 respectively for a repeat success.
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