Building on their impressive The Championships form, the partnership of trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman secured another Group 1 victory with a thrilling win by Autumn Angel in the 2024 Australian Oaks at Randwick.
Autumn Angel winning the 2024 Australian Oaks on the quick back-up at Randwick. Photo: Steve Hart.
The partnership, fresh off their first Group 1 win together with Chain Of Lightning in the TJ Smith Stakes last week, continued their hot streak with Autumn Angel in the ATC Oaks.
This victory marks Coleman’s 2nd Group 1 and Moody’s 59th.
“She’ll think this is bloody easy, won’t she!” Moody joked after the race.
Autumn Angel came close last Saturday, carrying a hefty 61kg to a runner-up finish behind Good Banter in the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes on a heavy track.
This time, with a reduced weight and a drier track (Good 4), she powered to victory over the 2400m distance at Randwick.
Jockey Mark Zahra delivered a perfectly timed ride, guiding Autumn Angel back to winning form.
“The way she thrived this week coming off the back-up run was incredible,” Moody said. “I was worried I might not have done enough with her, but she’s been fantastic all week. A big thanks to my team at home.”
This victory marks Autumn Angel’s second win in three starts, following her narrow success in the Group 2 Kewney Stakes at Flemington earlier in March.
Moody and Zahra also achieved a personal milestone, claiming their first ATC Oaks victory with the classy chestnut filly.
A thrilling finish saw Autumn Angel ($6) narrowly edge out the brave Zardozi ($6), trained by James Cummings.
Zardozi charged through the field from near the back after her close third-place finish in the Vinery Stud Stakes.
The hot favourite, Orchestral ($1.65F), winner of the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes and aiming for her sixth consecutive win, had a slow start and settled in midfield.
Despite a strong late run, she could only manage third place as the beaten odds-on favourite.
Zahra was full of praise for Autumn Angel, suggesting her potential for success in future races like the Group 1 Queensland Oaks and even the prestigious Group 1 Caulfield Cup.
“I’ve never heard Moods so upbeat about a horse,” Zahra said.
“Races like the Queensland Oaks and Caulfield Cup would definitely be on the radar for her.”
2024 Australian Oaks Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | AUTUMN ANGEL | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Mark Zahra | 8 | 56kg | $6 | |||
| 2 | 3 | ZARDOZI | James Cummings | Tom Marquand | 0.84L | 9 | 56kg | $6 | ||
| 3 | 1 | ORCHESTRAL (NZ) | Roger James & Robert Wellwood | James McDonald | 1L | 3 | 56kg | $1.65F | ||
| 4 | 2 | QUINTESSA (NZ) | Mark Walker | Opie Bosson | 2.75L | 2 | 56kg | $12 | ||
| 5 | 4 | TUTTA LA VITA | Chris Waller | Nash Rawiller | 3.38L | 7 | 56kg | $12 | ||
| 6 | 6 | BASILINNA (NZ) | Emma-Lee & David Browne | Blake Shinn | 5.76L | 6 | 56kg | $26 | ||
| 7 | 10 | BUSH GIRL | Kerry Parker | Jay Ford | 5.91L | 5 | 56kg | $201 | ||
| 8 | 7 | DANCES WITH HOOVES | Cameron Crockett | Craig Williams | 7.02L | 4 | 56kg | $91 | ||
| 9 | 8 | PIPLUP | Brad Widdup | Damian Lane | 8.97L | 10 | 56kg | $151 | ||
| 10 | 9 | TRUE FAIRY | Daiki Chujo | Noriyuki Masuda | 9.19L | 1 | 56kg | $201 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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