Ladbrokes Tip: The Ethereal Stakes serves as a key lead-up for fillies into the VRC Oaks field
The latest edition of the Ethereal Stakes ran on Saturday October 18, 2025 as part of Melbourne’s Caulfield Cup Day 2025 race card and was won by Nick Olive’s VRC Oaks bound filly Spicy Lu ($6) who led from start to finish in an eye-catching staying performance.
2025 Ethereal Stakes Results
The full Ethereal Stakes 2025 Results & Finishing Order will be available below once the race takes place on Saturday October 18, 2025.
- 1st: No. 1 Spicy Lu
- 2nd: No. 3 Just A Journey
- 3rd: No. 5 After Summer
Nick Olive’s improving Tagaloa filly Spicy Lu ($6) put in a career best performance leading all-the-way off a bold front-running ride by jockey Nash Rawiller to hold off her rivals and salute in the 2025 Ethereal Stakes results by three-quarters of a length. She has now firmed in from $15 to $9 in the all-in Group 1 VRC Oaks odds.
2025 Ethereal Stakes Odds
The season’s latest Ethereal Stakes 2025 odds and links to our Ethereal Stakes betting markets will be available below the week of the race so stay tuned for the best prices on the VRC Oaks-bound fillies this Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
| 1. Spicy Lu (12) J: Nash Rawiller 57kg 7x048T: Nick Olive | ||
| 3. Just A Journey (5) J: Blake Shinn 56kg 5x212T: Michael Freedman | ||
| 5. After Summer (1) J: Billy Egan 56kg 471T: Dominic Sutton | ||
| 10. Classic Gem (10) J: Ben Allen 56kg 5253T: Wendy Kelly | ||
| 4. Zouclaire (7) J: Thomas Stockdale 56kg 7x824T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 12. Future Frankie (2) J: Daniel Stackhouse 56kg 3T: Mark Walker | ||
| 6. Just Kick (3) J: Dean Yendall 56kg 3x379T: Emma-Lee & David Browne | ||
| 9. Morisu Ojo (13) J: Beau Mertens 56kg 44516T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 2. Yum (11) J: Jamie Mott 57kg x3116T: John McArdle | ||
| 8. Grand Omaha (4) J: Patrick Moloney 56kg 21T: Matt Laurie | ||
| 7. Arizona Luck (9) J: Jordan Childs 56kg 5x185T: Symon Wilde | ||
| 11. Lufitaah (8) J: John Allen 56kg 52T: Mitchell Freedman | ||
| 13. Motherduck (6) J: Robbie Dolan 56kg 865x8T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
Ethereal Stakes Tips
Good Ethereal Stakes tips include looking for fillies coming off a top three run in Group company, runners with winning form over the mile distance and any past Group 1 or 2 performers down in grade on their way to the VRC Oaks.
2025 Ethereal Stakes Tips
Our Ladbrokes’ insider Ethereal Stakes 2025 betting tips will be detailed below the week of the race so bookmark this page for the fillies to back and sack in the Caulfield Cup Day support act this season.
To Win: No. 3 Just A Journey
JUST A JOURNEY (5) looks ready to return to the winner’s list on Caulfield Cup Day, with the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes appearing an ideal target for Michael Freedman’s progressive filly.
The Justify three-year-old has been a model of consistency, missing the placings only once from seven career starts, and with winning form up to 1550m, the step out to 2000m poses no concern. She’s gone from strength to strength this campaign, breaking through second-up in a Canterbury BM72 before a brave runner-up finish in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) on Turnbull Stakes Day, where she worked hard in front and was only grabbed late by Getta Good Feeling.
That form reads strongly, with her conqueror contesting the Group 1 Thousand Guineas this weekend, making this a more suitable assignment on the same card. With Blake Shinn a high-quality replacement for James McDonald (engaged in Sydney for Everest Day), and a favourable draw giving her the chance to take up a forward position, she should be able to dictate terms and prove tough to run down.
Genuine staying filly in great form — well placed to lead and lift to Group 3 glory.
|
3. Just A Journey (5)
J: Blake Shinn 56kg
5×212T: Michael Freedman
|
The Ethereal Stakes is a Group 3 support race on the Caulfield Cup Day card at Caulfield Racecourse in mid-late October each Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
The meeting is headlined by the Group 1 $5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) and features a host of other Group status support races including the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes, Group 2 Caulfield Sprint, Group 3 Caulfield Classic, Group 3 Moonga Stakes, and the Ethereal Stakes.
Run over 2000m under set weights plus penalties, the Ethereal Stakes is open only to three-year-old fillies and offers $240,000 in prize money.
The Ethereal Stakes makes a nice lead-up into the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) held at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Set Square (2014) and Pinot (2017) are the only fillies to complete the Ethereal Stakes – VRC Oaks double.
It also serves as a guide to the following year’s Group 1 Australian Oaks in the autumn. Autumn Angel (2023/24) was the last Ethereal Stakes – ATC Oaks double winner as a three-year-old.
Ethereal Stakes Race Info
- Date: Saturday October 18, 2025
- Track: Caulfield Racecourse
- Distance: 2000m
- Conditions: 3YO Fillies – Set Weights + Penalties
- Status: Group 3
- Prize Money: $240,000
- First Run: 2000
Ethereal Stakes Betting
Ethereal Stakes betting odds are led each season by quality fillies with proven Melbourne form, ability over 2000m plus and those coming off a run in a lead-up race like the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m).
Too Darn Discreet (2024) was the last filly to complete the Edward Manifold Stakes – Ethereal Stakes double.
Spicy Lu (8th in 2025) was the last Ethereal Stakes winning filly to come via a run in the Edward Manifold Stakes.
Too Darn Discreet ($3.90 in 2024) was the last favourite in Ethereal Stakes betting to win.
Ethereal Stakes Field
The Ethereal Stakes race field attracts a collection of the season’s top staying fillies many eyeing a Group 1 VRC Oaks (formerly known as the Crown Oaks) run over further on the first Thursday of November.
Many fillies out of the Ethereal Stakes field may back-up in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) on Derby Day looking to gain an Oaks run just a few days later.
The Ethereal Stakes final field is announced the Wednesday of race week following the nominations taken the Monday leading-up to Caulfield Cup Day.
2025 Ethereal Stakes Field
The official Ethereal Stakes 2025 Final Field & Barriers will be released on the Wednesday of race week and detailed in full below so stay tuned to see what fillies line-up in the Oaks lead-up.
The 2025 Ethereal Stakes final field features a quality line-up of potential Oaks fillies led in betting by last start Group 2 Edward Manifold runner-up Just A Journey.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Spicy Lu
J: Nash Rawiller
T: Nick Olive |
17x048 | F | 12 | 57kg | |
|
2. Yum
J: Jamie Mott
T: John McArdle |
7x3116 | F | 11 | 57kg | |
|
3. Just A Journey
J: Blake Shinn
T: Michael Freedman |
15x212 | F | 5 | 56kg | |
|
4. Zouclaire
J: Thomas Stockdale
T: Ciaron Maher |
27x824 | F | 7 | 56kg | |
|
5. After Summer
J: Billy Egan
T: Dominic Sutton |
471 | F | 1 | 56kg | |
|
6. Just Kick
J: Dean Yendall
T: Emma-Lee & David Browne |
23x379 | F | 3 | 56kg | |
|
7. Arizona Luck
J: Jordan Childs
T: Symon Wilde |
5x185 | F | 9 | 56kg | |
|
8. Grand Omaha
J: Patrick Moloney
T: Matt Laurie |
21 | F | 4 | 56kg | |
|
9. Morisu Ojo
J: Beau Mertens
T: Ciaron Maher |
44516 | F | 13 | 56kg | |
|
10. Classic Gem
J: Ben Allen
T: Wendy Kelly |
5253 | F | 10 | 56kg | |
|
11. Lufitaah
J: John Allen
T: Mitchell Freedman |
52 | F | 8 | 56kg | |
|
12. Future Frankie
J: Daniel Stackhouse
T: Mark Walker |
3 | F | 2 | 56kg | |
|
13. Motherduck
J: Robbie Dolan
T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
865x8 | F | 6 | 56kg |
2025 Ethereal Stakes Nominations
The Ethereal Stakes 2025 Nominations are first taken on the Monday leading-up to Caulfield Cup week and the full list of early entries will be available below once released.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 471 | AFTER SUMMER | F | 3 | Dominic Sutton | 66 |
| 2 | 5×185 | ARIZONA LUCK | F | 3 | Symon Wilde | 61 |
| 3 | 5×402 | BREEDERS SUN | F | 3 | John Sargent | 56 |
| 4 | 5253 | CLASSIC GEM | F | 3 | Wendy Kelly | 62 |
| 5 | 73 | CRISMERA | F | 3 | Mark Walker | 59 |
| 6 | 5 | DON’T DOUBT DARE | F | 3 | Michael Kent | 60 |
| 7 | 0x3374 | ENVIABLE | F | 3 | Chris Waller | 70 |
| 8 | 6×8442 | FREEDOM FLAME | F | 3 | Andrew Gluyas | 61 |
| 9 | 3 | FUTURE FRANKIE | F | 3 | Mark Walker | 60 |
| 10 | 21 | GRAND OMAHA | F | 3 | Matt Laurie | 62 |
| 11 | 3115×212 | JUST A JOURNEY | F | 3 | Michael Freedman | 78 |
| 12 | 23×379 | JUST KICK (NZ) | F | 3 | Emma-Lee & David Browne | 64 |
| 13 | 52 | LUFITAAH | F | 3 | Mitchell Freedman | 60 |
| 14 | 44516 | MORISU OJO | F | 3 | Ciaron Maher | 64 |
| 15 | 865×8 | MOTHERDUCK | F | 3 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 54 |
| 16 | 1117×048 | SPICY LU | F | 3 | Nick Olive | 74 |
| 17 | 3 | TALAVERA (NZ) | F | 3 | Matt Cumani | 60 |
| 18 | 7×3116 | YUM | F | 3 | John McArdle | 76 |
| 19 | 27×824 | ZOUCLAIRE | F | 3 | Ciaron Maher | 60 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Ethereal Stakes Form Guide
The Ethereal Stakes form guide gives punters all the crucial information from trainers, jockeys and barriers to the lead-up runs and track / distance records of the fillies in the race.
The Ethereal Stakes form has gone on to stack up in better races many times including the 2018 winner Verry Elleegant continuing on to salute in many Group 1 races over her career including the 2020 Caulfield Cup.
The Ethereal Stakes form from 2021 was franked with the second placed Glint Of Hope continuing on to win Adelaide’s Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) in the autumn of 2022. The third-placed Biscayne Bay meanwhile also finished third in the VRC Oaks trifecta that spring.
The Ethereal Stakes 2023 form was also franked when third Pavitra improved on her third place finish to run second the Wakeful Stakes and VRC Oaks that spring, before returning in 2023 to finish runner-up in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill.
The Ethereal Stakes third placegetter from 2024, Femminile, franked the form going on to win the Group 1 SA Derby the following May.
2025 Ethereal Stakes Form Guide
A link to our comprehensive Ethereal Stakes 2025 Form Guide will be available for punters the week of the race.
Ethereal Stakes Results
The Ethereal Stakes race results are confirmed on Caulfield Cup Day and detail the Ethereal Stakes winning filly, margin and time along with the placegetters in the Ethereal Stakes trifecta.
Notable recent Ethereal Stakes winners include Alzora (2012), Set Square (2014), Pinot (2017), and subsequent superstar mare Verry Elleegant (2018).
Past Ethereal Stakes Winners
Recent Ethereal Stakes winners dating back to the year 2010 are detailed in the below table.
| Year | Winner | Trainer/s | Jockey | Weight | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Spicy Lu | Nick Olive | Nash Rawiller | 57 kgs | 2:05.10 |
| 2024 | Too Darn Discreet | Dan O’Sullivan | Michael Dee | 58 kgs | 2:07.84 |
| 2023 | Autumn Angel | Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman | Billy Egan | 56 kgs | 2:03.43 |
| 2022 | Renaissance Woman | Bjorn Baker | Joshua Parr | 56 kgs | 2:07.43 |
| 2021 | Daisies | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Damian Lane | 56 kgs | 2:06.47 |
| 2020 | Chica Fuerte | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Ben Melham | 56 kgs | 2:07.20 |
| 2019 | Gamay | Archie Alexander | Declan Bates | 55 kgs | 2:04.42 |
| 2018 | Verry Elleegant | Darren Weir | John Allen | 55 kgs | 2:05.56 |
| 2017 | Pinot | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Stephen Baster | 55 kgs | 2:02.71 |
| 2016 | Eleonora | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | Damien Oliver | 55 kgs | 2:05.31 |
| 2015 | Dawnie Perfect | Clarry Conners | Jim Cassidy | 55 kgs | 2:02.79 |
| 2014 | Set Square | Ciaron Maher | Nicholas Hall | 55 kgs | 2:04.54 |
| 2013 | Arabian Gold | David Vandyke | Peter Robl | 55 kgs | 2:04.15 |
| 2012 | Alzora | David Hayes | Nicholas Hall | 55 kgs | 2:04.98 |
| 2011 | Gliding | Bart Cummings | Darren Beadman | 55 kgs | 2:04.54 |
| 2010 | Dizlago | Lee Freedman | Nicholas Hall | 54.5 kgs | 2:08.44 |
FAQ
Who won the 2025 Ethereal Stakes?
The 2025 Ethereal Stakes was won by three-year-old Tagaloa filly Spicy Lu at $6 for trainer Nick Olive with jockey Nash Rawiller aboard on 57kg from barrier 12 to win by 0.75 lengths on a Good (4) track in a time of 2:05.10.
When is the Ethereal Stakes 2025?
Saturday October 18, 2025What is the prize money for the Ethereal Stakes 2025?
$240,000
Where is the Ethereal Stakes 2025?
Caulfield Racecourse, Gate 22, Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145.
How do I bet on the 2025 Ethereal Stakes?
Bet online or via the latest iOS/Android apps with Ladbrokes.
The first step is to create an account at ladbrokes.com.au. The process is quick and easy!
Once you've created your account you can make a deposit via credit card, or any other of our secure payment methods. Next up, head to the racing page and find the race and runner that's right for you.
Which horse will win the 2025 Ethereal Stakes?
The best way to pick which horse will win the Ethereal Stakes is to take into account the form, assess the barriers, and consider the weight the horse will carry (among other factors). Check out ladbrokes.com.au in the lead up to the race for full form information.