Autumn Glow out to prove her parents wrong by taking the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in twelfth unbeaten outing

Autumn Glow is a very slight drifter in betting for the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday, which in part must be due to her venturing beyond a mile for the first time and whether her breeding plays a part.

She has taken Australian racing by storm with 11 wins from as many starts and her trainer and jockey, Chris Waller and James McDonald, are upbeat that the four-year-old will see out the distance no worries.

But with her breeding considered – being by The Autumn Son and out of Via Africa – there are questions to be asked.

“(Via Africa) was an out-and-out sprinter herself, and her first three generations have only won over 1200m, so that’s the worry I have,” said owner and Arrowfield Stud founder Paul Messara.

“The Autumn Sun got up to 2000m. He won the Rosehill Guineas (at his last start). That was his longest race, and on a wet track, but he fought all the way up the straight to win.

“He was probably better over 1600m, a bit like her, but she’s shown James and all of us so much that the feeling is she’ll do it.

“She settles very well in her runs. James is very confident she will finish it off. The track’s going to be good, and she’s fitter than she’s ever been, so there are a lot of pluses.

“It’s the right time to try, and if she gets up in that, we know she’s capable of getting that ground, then we can think about races like the Cox Plate.

“She’s fit. She galloped the other day, and when she went past, you couldn’t hear her breathing, so it’ll be very interesting.

“I’m just as excited as the public because I honestly don’t know that she’ll get it, but I’ve got no reason to disbelieve James and Chris. The two of them are bullish about her getting the 2000m.

“It’ll put on a bit of a show for the public and racegoers and, if she’s good enough, she’ll win it.”

If there are any chinks in her armour, there’s an army of tried-and-true performers ready to find them.

Sir Delius ($7) has run third at each run this preparation, chasing home Autumn Glow in the Verry Elleegant (1600m) and then Aeliana ($7) in the Ranvet (2000m).

Aeliana followed that success with another victory in the Tancred (2400m), downing globetrotting gelding Dubai Honour ($9).