Autumn Glow Returns As Stars Step Out At Randwick Trials

Bets.com.au Staff

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Last updated: Mon 20 Jul 2026 06:09

Bets.com.au Staff 20 Jul 2026

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Napoleonic and Barnavara win strong Randwick trials
Autumn Glow, Ohope Wins, and Soulcombe make notable returns
Agrarian Girl clocks the fastest 745m heat for the July 20 set

Autumn Glow after winning the 2026 George Ryder Stakes. (Getty)

Some of Australia's biggest names and several exciting spring contenders stepped out in a quality morning of trials at Randwick on Monday, highlighted by a star-studded opening heat and an impressive display from promising filly Agrarian Girl.

The opening 900m trial was arguably the strongest of the morning, with Napoleonic comfortably defeating dual Group winner Ninja, while three-time Group 1 winner Autumn Glow caught the eye with a strong late finish into third. Also contesting the opening heat were three-time Group 1 winner Lady Shenandoah and dual Group 1 winner Autumn Boy.

Autumn Glow, who won her first 11 starts before finishing third in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000m at her most recent appearance, was having her first public hit-out of the campaign.

The second Group trial also featured plenty of quality. Current Caulfield Cup favourite Aeliana resumed after being spelled following Group 1 victories in the Ranvet Stakes and Tancred Stakes, while Australian Oaks heroine Ohope Wins also returned to the track.

French Group 1 winner Barnavara took out the heat as she commenced her second preparation for Chris Waller. The daughter of Calyx was purchased by Yulong for 4.8 million guineas (approximately A$10.18 million) at the 2025 Tattersalls December Mares Sale, becoming the highest-priced filly in training sold anywhere in the world during 2025.

Barnavara has not raced since finishing fourth as the odds-on favourite in the Group 3 Neville Selwood Stakes in March.

Another notable return came from Soulcombe, who finished third in his 900m trial. The Chris Waller-trained stayer has not raced since his runner-up finish behind Without A Fight in the 2023 Melbourne Cup and is another high-profile galloper building towards the spring carnival.

The quickest 745m heat of the July 20 set belonged to Agrarian Girl. The Waterhouse & Bott-trained filly was Listed winner on debut before finishing runner-up in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes.