The highly regarded The Autumn Sun filly Autumn Angel launched late to claim Saturday’s Group III Schweppes Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield and punch her ticket for the Victoria Oaks.
Ridden by Billy Egan for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, Autumn Angel was three back the fence in the run and needed to squeeze past one horse, the tiring Saxon Beauty, and set out after long-time leader Tropical Squall.
Coming off a third to Griff in the Group II Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley, Autumn Angel joined the tenacious Prized Icon filly inside the 50m to win by a half-length, with the Staphanos filly Basilinna one and a half lengths back in third.
Autumn Angel advances her record to two wins, a second, and two thirds from five starts with earnings of $198,940.
“Wylie (Dalziel) and all his clients are fantastic,” Coleman enthused.
“They’re such a good group of people. They’ve been nothing but supportive of me as well.”
“We came here with a bit of confidence, and watching how the race panned out, I thought we were in all sorts of trouble, so she has done a fantastic job.
“She didn’t really get to build into it. She had to sprint, and she’s done a fantastic job.
“We’re thrilled with her, and hopefully she pulls up well, and we’re looking at an Oaks.”
Billy Egan said it was a tight squeeze.
“I was thinking about what Moods (Moody) would do to me if I didn’t get through,” he said.
“I was pretty firm on getting through, and I was lucky I’ve got a well-educated horse with a big heart to get through the gaps.
“You can’t do it without the horse being willing.
“I’ve been lucky. I’ve got to know her quite well. She was a little tricky. She can be a touch slow away and you probably get out of your ground a little bit.
“We didn’t want that to happen today, especially with Tropical Squall getting out. I thought we might not reel it in if we were too far off.
“I was a little more positive from the gates today. She was still slow out, but she was able to back up along the rails and only be a couple off it.
“After that we just had to work our way through.”
Autumn Angel was a $230,000 purchase for Dalziel Bloodstock / Moody Racing from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
She is the third winner from four to race for the Group III winner Angel Of Mercy (Hussonet), whose career came to a close when second to Cosmic Endeavour in the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara.
Arrowfield Stud consigned a sister to Autumn Angel to this year’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, which failed to make her $150,000 reserve.
After foaling a sister to Autumn Angel last spring, Angel Of Mercy was covered by Maurice (JPN).
Autumn Angel is the third stakes-winner for Arrowfield Stud’s 5-time Group 1 winner The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice).
