The Chris Waller-trained turf sensation Autumn Glow has been smashed in betting as she looks to maintain her unblemished record, chasing a 12th consecutive victory as the odds-on favourite in Saturday’s 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick.
Unbeaten queen Autumn Glow is out to make it a perfect 12 in the 2026 Queen Elizabeth. Photo: Bradley Photos.
The Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival presents its crown jewel this weekend with a star-studded Day 2 of The Championships program, headlined by the prestigious Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
A race historically dominated by the nation’s elite weight-for-age stars—most notably the legendary Winx (2017–19)—the 2026 edition has attracted a small but elite assembly of middle-distance specialists.
Master trainer Waller is looking to further his incredible record in the feature, already boasting six Queen Elizabeth trophies, including last year’s victory with the now-retired Via Sistina.
Chris Waller saddles-up four of the eight Queen Elizabeth hopefuls chasing his seventh win!
Waller holds a numerical stranglehold on this year’s edition, saddling up half of the eight-horse field.
His stable headline, the four-year-old The Autumn Sun mare Autumn Glow, has frightened off a larger field as she aims for her fourth Group 1 title and a hat-trick of elite-level wins this preparation.
She arrives at Randwick following a dominant 2.75-length victory over Gringotts in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) on Golden Slipper Day.
Should she salute on Saturday, she will join Winx (2018 & 2019) as the latest star to complete the prestigious George Ryder / Queen Elizabeth double.
While she steps up to 2000m for the first time, her flawless Randwick resume of six wins from six starts suggests the distance will pose little threat.
Drawn perfectly in gate two for “King of the Group 1s” James McDonald, Autumn Glow is the clear market force at $1.45 through Ladbrokes.
Two rivals share the second line of betting at $6: stablemate Aeliana and the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Sir Delius.
Aeliana, a five-length ATC Derby winner as a filly, has been the model of consistency this autumn.
After two gallant seconds behind Autumn Glow in the Apollo and Verry Elleegant Stakes, Waller separated the pair, allowing Aeliana to secure back-to-back Group 1 wins in the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and the Tancred Stakes (2400m).
While she drops back in trip on Saturday, her rock-hard fitness makes her the primary danger.
Sir Delius, a son of Frankel, represents the biggest threat from outside the Waller camp.
Starting from gate three with Craig Williams aboard, the five-year-old boasts a strong 2000m record, including a spring victory in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes.
He arrives third-up after game thirds behind both Autumn Glow (Verry Elleegant) and Aeliana (Ranvet).
The international flavor is provided by William Haggas’s UK raider Dubai Honour.
The evergreen eight-year-old narrowly missed out in the Tancred Stakes last month and was the runner-up in this event last year.
Waller’s consistent Lindermann and Ciaron Maher’s dual Australian Cup hero Light Infantry Man —who looks for his first Randwick placing—are also in the mix.
The field is rounded out by Waller’s Neville Sellwood winner Wootton Verni and the second Haggas visitor, Caviar Heights, who will be partnered by Zac Lloyd.
The 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes is scheduled as Randwick Race 9 at 4:35 pm (AEST).
2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes Field & Barriers
| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Barrier | Weight | Age | Sex | Last Starts | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dubai Honour | Tom Marquand | William Haggas | 5 | 59kg | 8 | G | 212×2 | $9,933,271 |
| 2 | Sir Delius | Craig Williams | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 3 | 59kg | 5 | H | 11×33 | $1,692,283 |
| 3 | Light Infantry Man | Ethan Brown | Ciaron Maher | 1 | 59kg | 7 | G | 2×141 | $5,633,648 |
| 4 | Lindermann | Nash Rawiller | Chris Waller | 6 | 59kg | 6 | G | 1×392 | $4,269,300 |
| 5 | Wootton Verni | Tommy Berry | Chris Waller | 7 | 59kg | 5 | G | x7551 | $1,039,944 |
| 6 | Caviar Heights | Zac Lloyd | William Haggas | 4 | 59kg | 5 | G | 225×2 | $219,305 |
| 7 | Autumn Glow | James McDonald | Chris Waller | 2 | 57kg | 4 | M | 1×111 | $8,124,000 |
| 8 | Aeliana | Damian Lane | Chris Waller | 8 | 57kg | 4 | M | x2211 | $4,432,975 |
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