Golden Eagle field falls short as Autumn Glow scares off rivals

10 hours ago 5

By Craig Kerry

October 28, 2025 — 7.30pm

The aura of unbeaten Autumn Glow was on show when the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) failed to attract a full field of acceptors for the first time.

The Japanese team behind her main challenger, Panja Tower, though was not shying away from the test, saying its group 1 winner was on track as it follows the path of 2023 winner Obamburumai - but with better credentials.

The feature for four-year-olds, the second-richest race in Australia, had 126 nominations for the 18-capacity field but 17 accepted on Tuesday. The Golden Eagle will be held at Royal Randwick for the first time on Saturday after the decision to move it from Rosehill.

Sydney trainer Chris Waller put just one, Lord Penman, up against his star mare Autumn Glow, which will try to take her winning streak to eight. She drew barrier nine and is the $2.10 TAB favourite.

Autumn Glow has been top of markets since they opened in May, starting at $4.50 with TAB and strengthening this preparation through wins in the Toy Show Quality, Theo Marks Stakes and her maiden group 1 victory last start in the Epsom Handicap. She firmed again when Waller indicated second-elect Angel Capital would likely skip the race and Lady Shenandoah would instead compete in the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes (1300m).

Waller won the inaugural running of the Golden Eagle in 2019 with Kolding. That year, the race had a capacity of 16 and attracted 17 acceptors. The field was increased to 18 the next year and 20 in 2022 as the event grew. Only 17 ran in 2023 because of three scratchings.

Shinsuke Hashiguchi-trained Panja Tower ($6) was the outright second favourite after drawing well in four.

Panja Tower in track work at Canterbury on October 13.

Assistant trainer Koji Igarashi said the stable was happy with the gate but “it didn’t really matter” to the NHK Mile winner. Keiji Yoshimura-trained Obamburumai was third in the NHK Mile at Tokyo in 2023 before winning the Golden Eagle. The Panja Tower team sought advice from the winning stable before making the trip.

“Obamburumai wasn’t a group 1 winner, but he was a very strong juvenile, so we think it’s very similar and we’re hoping Panja Tower will also bring a good result,” Igarashi said via translator and bloodstock agent Satomi Oka.

“We got lots of feedback from the Obamburumai team, so we were very grateful that they supported us to come. The best advice they gave us was just trust all the Australian team.

“They are really good people and just try to do similar to what you do in Japan.

“It’s been really great. The ATC [Australian Turf Club], Canterbury racecourse [quarantine centre], everyone is very helpful. The people and the horses are very happy.

“I’ve seen Autumn Glow’s races, and yes, she’s a very, very strong horse. It is the first time for him to race against her, but he’s going really well and hopefully he can show his best form on the day.”

Hashiguchi and regular jockey Kohei Matsuyama were due to arrive in Sydney on Tuesday. Matsuyama was to partner Panja Tower in a track gallop on Wednesday at Randwick.

Igarashi said plans to tackle the Golden Eagle with Panja Tower were set in motion a year ago when part-owner Tomofusa Fukasawa came to Sydney on a Tokyo Owners Association tour.

“He fell in love with Australian racing,” he said.

“Before the horse won a group 1, the owner thought that this was a really good place for the horse to come.”

Each runner has a charity partner, which receives 10 per cent of that horse’s Golden Eagle prizemoney. The Station Limited missed out on a runner because of the shortfall but will gain $5000, the minimum percentage on offer.

Friends of the Mater Foundation were the big winner, drawing Autumn Glow.