Hall: Waller's Autumn Glow apology was unnecessary

After Autumn Glow’s heartbreaking loss in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth (2000m), ending her 11-run undefeated streak, the star mare’s champion trainer Chris Waller took full accountability for the loss.

It was the daughter of The Autumn Sun’s maiden start at 2000m, however she fell short to Sir Delius (first) and Lindermann (second) over the distance.

Waller profusely apologised to the racing community on X for the four-year-old's loss, stating that he “simply got her distance wrong”.

Reflecting on the apology on SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up, expert racing analyst Clint Hutchison believes that Waller had absolutely nothing to apologise for.

“I saw Chris come out and apologise, I don't think he's got anything to apologise about,” Hutchison exclaimed.

“I thought that was a bit strange.

“I’d be apologising about 18 times a meeting for the amount of things that I get wrong.

“It's a race, so you’ve got to find out what the trip is; he's not to know that she wouldn't get the distance.

“I don't think there's any need for (the apology).”

Giddy Up host Gareth Hall agreed with Hutchison's take, explaining that the trainer would have needed to apologise if he didn’t test the bay across 2000m.

“No, (he didn’t need to apologise),” Hall started.

“I think he would have needed to apologise if he didn't go and have a crack at the Queen Elizabeth.”

Leading Australian form expert David Gately also chimed in on the conversation, agreeing that Waller’s apology was completely unnecessary.

Gately took the stance from a historical perspective, looking back at when Waller initially ran the legendary Winx at 2000m, despite data analysts recommending not to run her at the distance.

“Yeah, you never know til you try,” Gately said.

“I mean there were hashtag data experts telling him Winx wouldn't run 2000m. Had they never gone, they wouldn't have known, and they certainly wouldn't have had four Cox Plate’s and immortality.

“So how do you know till you try? There were there were mixed reports on Autumn Glow, through the same data experts, whether she would be strong at 2000m.

“She wasn't as strong as the others, but still, in her own right, she ran a bit over two minutes flat, so it's an exceptional gallop, she just had two horses in front of her.”

Autumn Glow has now been sent to the paddock where she will prepare for a huge Spring Racing Carnival.