Autumn Angel was badly held up and looked like running a good second but dug deep in the last 100 metres to run down the odds-on fav and win in dominant style.
“I love this filly she has only had 5 starts now for 2 wins and 3 placings and gives her all in her races. With a Group 3 placing and now a Group 3 win on her career CV not only will we have some fun going forward but It is very satisfying to find a filly of her quality for a good group of owners to share her with. she is now a very valuable broodmare going forward.” Managing owner Wylie Dalziel said
The win was a triumph for trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, owner Wylie Dalziel and partners and jockey Billy Egan, who was the most relieved of all after somehow finding a tight gap inside the 200-metre mark to allow him to go out and chase down Tropical Squall.
“I was thinking about what Moods (Moody) would do to me if I didn’t get through,” Egan said.
The Autumn Sun filly will target feature staying races in the autumn.
“The owners, along with myself and Katherine (Coleman), have made the decision that we’ll spell this filly rather than go on to the VRC Oaks,” Moody said.
“She is probably a little bit immature to handle the rigours of an Oaks campaign, and ultimately there is four or five Oaks races run in the autumn.
“She is going to go to the paddock sound, happy, and healthy.”
Autumn Angel was a joint $4.50 favourite for the VRC Oaks with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s Tropical Squall.
She became just the third Stakes winner for her sire The Autumn Sun and will attempt to become that stallion’s first G1 winner when she resumes in the Autumn of 2024 for the 3YO Classic races.
