Matt Stewart

[Matt Stewart @Mattunchained]

@TRBHorseRacing I agree these rankings are always so off that they are meaningless - but maybe their albeit wobbly data exposed some reality re Autumn Glow, who may prove a superstar - will we ever know? - but is mostly beating up on rivals of a weak era.

[Matt Stewart @Mattunchained]

@AdamHSport I don’t think people have really grasped Captains Mistress. For some reason in harness racing F&M have hardly ever had the strength/stamina to match/better the boy’s anywhere in the world. She is almost unique.

[Matt Stewart @Mattunchained]

@Page1991Adam Consider the tasks set sunline, makybe diva, black caviar (58kg Newmarket, ascot), northerly, BLU, SYT, takeover target etc etc etc - and tell me of AG will ever be asked such questions. Maybe and maybe she will rise to the occasion. But will they take the risk (of defeat)?

[Matt Stewart @Mattunchained]

This week’s Winning Post column - is Autumn Glow too choreographed to be declared a champion?

[Matt Stewart @Mattunchained]

@PaulBSimmons yes, probably. Or if they had a second crack at 2000m in a Cox. Or if they aimed up at internaional targets. Anything other than rinse and repeat.

[Matt Stewart @Mattunchained]

@micklynch57 @djebel Agree. Just bec big quests are onerous/difficult shouldn't mean they don't happen. It's very difficult to argue against Waller's "horse comes first" mantra. Very. But tennis, Formula 1, cricket - none avoids championships, they're everything. "Minimise risk"? Not on the table.

[Matt Stewart @Mattunchained]

@micklynch57 @djebel My point is the landscape has been rearranged to allow for soft champions. All roads no
Longer lead to unavoidable tests of champions such as cox since V’landys established his silly rich alternatives and raiders now put off by vet protocols

[Matt Stewart @Mattunchained]

@djebel Not suggesting AG should be in Japan but look how high the bar has been raised for ombudsman, Calandagan, Minnie hauke after long and arduous English summer. A Japan cup for the ages. Greatness is not posting a big “figure” - you gotta dig deep and combat obstacles to earn it.

[Matt Stewart @Mattunchained]

@Page1991Adam Greatness isn’t a tag that should be handed out without very high expectation. Greatness is not soft kills against modest opposition. It’s digging deep, winning - or losing - against the odds. Less is/has/will be expected of her than any champion of recent times.

[Matt Stewart @Mattunchained]

@djebel How can a horse be a champion if not “tested”?

[Matt Stewart @Mattunchained]

@AdamHSport Indeed…

[Matt Stewart @Mattunchained]

Calandagan, ombudsman, Minnie Hauke long haul it to Japan for ultimate clash of champions in Cup; Leap to Fame set quick back up for rematch with arch foe captains mistress; champions being set tough tasks and possible defeat. Take note connections of Autumn Glow.

[Matt Stewart @Mattunchained]

@desimal303 Exactly. One is shaping as a cotton wool champion, the other is off to Japan

[Glyn Schofield @SchofieldGlyn]

I’m genuinely heartbroken. Having known and spoken with Izzy, it makes this loss feel particularly close. Such a terrible tragedy and a life taken far too soon. My thoughts are with her family and everyone who loved her. ❤️

[John Walter @J_Walter23]

Just so sad. So wrong. Taken so young #NoWords

[Matt Stewart @Mattunchained]

@TrentC_Racing Agree With this sentiment. Autumn Glow’s career will be - has been - carefully choreographed. Does this invite excitement or merely admiration ?

[Champion Racehorses @NoMorePokies]

@djebel @Mattunchained @7horseracing In Victorian times females were considered inferior, Admiral Rous thought this also applied to horse racing.
(He was deadset wrong about giving extra weight to the aged over distance)

[Matt Stewart @Mattunchained]

@whalewis Yes - a little bit like that. Gloves should be off with him too.

[Matt Stewart @Mattunchained]

Ok that’s enough of the soft kills for Autumn Glow. She cannot be wrapped in cotton wool next prep. Gotta go overseas - HK or Royal Ascot or whatever - because beating up on this generation of rivals is just not satisfying.

[Matt Stewart @Mattunchained]

Autumn Glow too well placed, too beneficial of a plain era, to be regarded as a champion. She may well rise to the challenge but the bar must be raised - meaning o/s - and then we can consider the ultimate accolade … in a year’s time.