Autumn Glow vs Sheza Alibi? J-Mac fascinated by future clash

Sheza Alibi has announced herself as one of the Australia’s emerging star middle-distance runners, winning the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) on Saturday.

The three-year-old filly, trained by Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman, boasts an impressive record of six wins from nine starts, and has already amassed over $1.2 million in prize money.

Off the back of her stellar run in the Randwick Guineas, the daughter of Saxon Warrior is now $11 with Sportsbet to win the Cox Plate (2040m) in the spring.

However, there is another girl standing in her way – Autumn Glow.

The Chris Waller-trained four-year-old is already being hailed as Australia’s best horse by some pundits, thanks to a perfect record of 10 wins from 10 starts.

In fact, she is currently $4 to win this year’s Cox Plate.

Speaking on SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up, expert form analyst David “Gator” Gately answered the question:

Would Sheza Alibi beat Autumn Glow?

Gately: “I don't know… On the time (Sheza Alibi) ran Saturday, she's at least competitive with Autumn Glow, for sure.”

Hall: “Is Autumn Glow just in front at the moment?"

Gately: “I'd say so, she's unbeaten, you know.

“But I can't remember the last time Sheza Alibi was beaten either.”

Champion jockey James McDonald, who is the regular hoop aboard Autumn Glow, also gave his opinion on the debate.

The 127-time Group 1 winner jokingly stated that he doesn’t want to face Sheza Alibi again after the filly bolted past him and Autumn Boy in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas.

When speaking seriously, J-Mac was confident that those two girls will face each other at some point in the future and it will be a “fascinating” race.

“I don't really want to see her again,” McDonald joked.

“But I suppose they will clash one day, and they've got plans to run her in a Cox Plate - I hope Glow is there as well.

“It’s fascinating that we've got Peter Moody, who's very sporting, and John Messara (Autumn Glow’s owner) and Chris (Waller) are (sporting as well). I'm sure they're not going to be ducking and weaving, both of those guys.

“I'm sure they'll clash soon. It would make a fascinating contest, that's for sure.”

Sheza Alibi and Autumn Glow could face off against each other in the 2026 Cox Plate on October 24.