Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman look to have uncovered a genuine 2023 VRC Oaks contender in Autumn Angel who lowered the colours of the short-priced favourite Tropical Squall to win the Group $200,000 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) on Caulfield Cup Day.

2023 Ethereal Stakes winner Autumn Angel was too strong late running down the favourite on way to the Group 1 VRC Oaks. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Group 1 Flight Stakes winner Tropical Squall was the well-backed fancy at $2.05 dug up by Adam Hyeronimus from a wide alley to sweep across the front of the field and lead her rivals around.

The in-form Prized Icon filly was given every chance controlling things up front the entire trip, shown the whip at the top of the straight before dashing away to a good lead with 300m left to travel.

The bonny favourite however didn’t have enough left in the tank up to 2000m when run down inside the final 50m by the progressive Autumn Angel ($4.80).

Jockey Billy Egan just squeezed through after getting into an awkward position on the home turn with the eventual winner before the filly charged home once in the clear.

The classy chestnut is a well-bred daughter of form top-liner The Autumn Sun and certainly lived up to her pedigree today breaking her Group maiden.

She further franked the form of the Group 2 Sutt Stakes from September 29 where she came off an eye-catching third behind subsequent Caulfield Guineas champion Griff at Moonee Valley.

Autumn Angel was simply too strong mowing down the favourite, while the Emma-Lee & David Browne-trained Basilinna ($31) also pulled out a terrific Oaks lead-up storming home into third two lengths off the winner.

“We actually came here with a bit of confidence,” co-trainer Coleman told Racing.com.

“She did a fantastic job. She didn’t really get a chance to build into it, she had to sprint.

“We’re thrilled with her.”

It is now onwards and upwards for Autumn Angel into the Group 1 $1 million Kennedy Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on Thursday November 9 on Day 3 of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

“Hopefully she pulls up well from this and we’re looking at an Oaks,” Coleman said.

Autumn Angel won the Ethereal in 2 minutes 3.43 seconds which, on raw times, is around 12 lengths quicker than what Sunsets won the Caulfield Classic in (2:05.50) on way to the Victoria Derby.

Pinot (2017) was the last filly to complete the Ethereal Stakes – VRC Oaks double.

The latest all-in 2023 Kennedy Oaks odds at Ladbrokes.com.au have Autumn Angel at $5 to be the next with Tropical Squall still the $4.50 favourite despite her loss today.

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2023 Ethereal Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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