Unbeaten Autumn Glow is set to start the shortest favourite for the Group 1 $1.5 million Epsom Handicap in two decades after being allocated 54.5kg for the big Royal Randwick 1600m race next month.
Autumn Glow, the dominant winner of her six races including her runaway Theo Marks Stakes effort last Saturday, seems well in at the weights and is the $1.90 favourite for the Epsom.
The only horse to start shorter in betting for the Epsom this century is Racing To Win at $1.70 when he scored in 2006.
TAB Fixed Odds price assessor Tim Ryan said he had expected Autumn Glow to get around 54.5kg and found no need to adjust early Epsom betting.
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“We had factored in the weight we thought Autumn Glow would get and had her priced accordingly at $1.90,” Ryan said.
“There’s been good money for Autumn Glow before we went to those odds and she’s still popular with punters.
“If she draws well for the Epsom, then there is every chance she could start even shorter on the day.”
Autumn Glow stays perfect! 🌟
She keeps her unbeaten record intact with victory in the G2 Theo Marks Stakes.@KPMcEvoy@cwallerracingpic.twitter.com/UoI1hlapKa
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 13, 2025
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Autumn Glow’s Theo Marks Stakes win means she is exempt from ballot for the Epsom, run at Royal Randwick on October 4. Tramway Stakes winner Pericles (57kg) is also guaranteed a start.
Racing NSW handicappers released the Epsom weights on Monday with last year’s winner Ceolwulf and Group 1 winners Light Infantry Man, Private Eye and Royal Patronage equal topweight with 58kg.
Another Wil, Tom Kitten, Gringotts and Arapaho are on 57.5kg with Doncaster Mile winner Stefi Magnetica on 57kg.
There are three three-year-olds nominated for the Epsom and are on the 48kg limit – Nepotism, Apocalyptic and Aerodrome.
Classy stayer Vauban has been allocated 58.5kg topweight for the Group 1 $750,000 The Metropolitan (2400m), run on Epsom Day.
Sydney Cup winner Arapaho is next with 58kg just ahead of boom stayer Sir Delius on 57kg.
With Vauban and Sir Delius unlikely Metropolitan runners, Birdman (51.5kg), Half Yours (50kg) and Soul Of Spain (50kg) are equal $8 favourites.