Billy Egan questioned but cleared over Autumn Angel ride

Autumn Angel charged home when it was all over Image: Racing Photos

Jockey Billy Egan and co-trainer Peter Moody found themselves in front of Caulfield stewards following Autumn Angel’s sixth-placing in the Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m).

The Moody/Coleman filly, a drifter in betting from $3.20 out to $4.40, was slightly slow out from barrier four and found herself back last on the fence after 100m.

That is where Autumn Angel remained until the home turn, with Egan electing to ride for luck on the rail rather than peeling out wide.

As the leader and eventual winner Sassy Boom kicked clear of her rivals, Autumn Angel was hopelessly held-up on the fence before Egan steered off heels passing the 200m.

The resuming Group 3 winner motored over the final 100m when the race was over, finishing 3.85 lengths from the winner.

Egan was questioned by stewards regarding his tactics, in particular his decision to remain on the rail turning for home.

Stewards informed Egan “that the preferred option approaching the 400m would have been to attempt to obtain a run to the outside, rather than shifting to the inside of Craig Williams (on Pure Paradise) in an endeavour to gain clear running.”

After also interviewing Moody, stewards came to the conclusion that Egan’s ride was “an error of judgement and not culpable under the rules.”

Autumn Angel clocked the fastest final furlong of the race (11.71 seconds) despite not having any real momentum until the 125m mark.