John Sargent-trained Autumn Blonde gets chance to break maiden at Randwick-Kensington on Wednesday

Golden Slipper form puts Autumn Blonde in prime position to secure her maiden win on Wednesday, with trainer John Sargent opting for a key gear change for the filly’s Kensington mission.

Ray Thomas

less than 2 min read

August 12, 2025 - 5:00PM

The John Sargent-trained Autumn Blonde has a golden chance to break her maiden at Randwick-Kensington on Wednesday. Picture: Bradley Photos

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Autumn Blonde, who has form around Golden Slipper winner Marhoona, gets an opportunity to break her maiden status in the Myplates Handicap (1150m) at Kensington on Wednesday.

The John Sargent-trained Autumn Blonde went winless in four starts last season but showed natural ability including her third placing at Canterbury last February.

The winner that day was Marhoona who trained on to win the Golden Slipper, while the runner-up, Dream Side, was placed at Group 2 level.

Raced by leading syndicator James Moss and his Tricolours Syndications and part-owned by The Daily Telegraph editor Ben English, Autumn Blonde followed her Canterbury effort with a very close fourth to Within The Law in the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes before failing in the Magic Night Stakes.

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Sargent said Autumn Blonde had been improved by two recent trials and could sprint well fresh under jockey Dylan Gibbons.

“Autumn Blonde has got ability,’’ Sargent said. “But I’m putting ear muffs on her for the first time as she has been going a bit hard so this might help her to relax.

“We will ride her midfield, hopefully there is a good speed early and she will be hitting the line well.’’

Some spring class back to trials with these 2yos

1st - The Playwright (2f Written By x Sugarparma) for @GaiWaterhouse1
G3 Widden S. winner and 4th G1 Blue Diamond last start.

Note 4th - Autumn Blonde (2f The Autumn Sun x Tall Blonde) for @jsargentracing. She's got something.â€¦ pic.twitter.com/cyIVDWyfXI
— Breednet (@BreednetNews) July 11, 2025

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Sargent has a third of the field in the Kensington opener with Nullarbor Jane and Solar Dance clashing with stablemate Autumn Blonde.

“Nullarbor Jane has no weight (53.5kg after the claim for apprentice Molly Bourke) and has race fitness on her side. She hasn’t been far away at her last two starts,’’ Sargent said.

“Solar Dance is having her first start but she is well-bred and is out of a Zabeel mare on her dam’s side, and I liked her last trial (won at Rosehill).

“She will probably get back from her barrier (eight) but I expect her to be doing her best work late.’’

Originally published as John Sargent-trained Autumn Blonde gets chance to break maiden at Randwick-Kensington on Wednesday