Autumn Glow & Sheza Alibi clash in the Winx Stakes
The inaugural Group 1 of the 2026/27 racing season promises a thrilling showdown as Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi go head-to-head in Saturday’s Winx Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick.
Ever since the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Sheza Alibi stormed to victory in the Doncaster Mile, racing purists have eagerly awaited her clash with the current queen of the turf, Autumn Glow.
Autumn Glow enjoyed a meteoric rise to stardom, stringing together 11 consecutive victories—including three Group 1 titles in the Golden Eagle, George Ryder Stakes, and Verry Elleegant Stakes. Her unbeaten run finally came to an end in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, where she lost no admirers when finishing a brave third behind Sir Delius over 2000 metres.
By contrast, Sheza Alibi’s journey began far from the bright lights of metropolitan racing. She started her career competing in lower-grade events at Rockhampton and Townsville. After a gallant second behind multiple Group 1 winner Autumn Boy as a two-year-old, she was transferred from Kris Hansen’s stable to Moody and Coleman in Melbourne.
Under their guidance, Sheza Alibi rapidly established herself as a elite competitor, winning five of her six starts as a three-year-old, headlined by dominant performances in both the Group 1 Randwick Guineas and the Group 1 Doncaster Mile.
Beyond the track, this showdown represents a classic 'David vs Goliath' storyline. Autumn Glow boasts an aristocratic pedigree: by blue-chip stallion The Autumn Sun out of proven broodmare Via Africa, she was offered at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale by Silverdale Farm and knocked down to breeding giant Arrowfield Stud for $1.8 million.
Sheza Alibi, by comparison, was purchased by Emerald cattle farmer Fred Noffke for just $10,000 via an Inglis Digital online auction.
It is almost impossible to split these two great mares, but the bookies have labelled Autumn Glow as the odds-on favourite. What many racing purists believe will be the difference is that Autumn Glow has already proven herself at Weight-For-Age (WFA) level, whereas Sheza Alibi is having her first go in WFA class.
Sheza Alibi has drawn barrier one and retains the services of regular jockey Luke Nolen. Autumn Glow will jump alongside her from barrier three, with champion hoop James McDonald taking the reins.
The Group 1 Winx Stakes will be run at 4:30 pm (AEST) at Royal Randwick this Saturday.
