Sheza Alibi has firmly established herself as one of Australia’s premier racehorses with a commanding victory in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.
The mare, trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, achieved a historic feat by becoming the first female galloper to claim the Makybe Diva since it was elevated to Group 1 status in 2013.
Sent off as the $1.60 favourite with Luke Nolen in the saddle, Sheza Alibi powered clear to win by 2-¾ lengths. Autumn Boy ($20) secured second place, with Another Wil ($101) a neck further back in third.
The race unfolded precisely as planned for Sheza Alibi. Her strong start allowed Nolen to position the mare favourably close to the pace.
Coleman noted that Sheza Alibi can sometimes be slow to leave the barriers, a trait seen previously when she was impressive in the Doncaster Mile at Randwick in April, and again first-up when she drew an inside gate and finished second to Autumn Glow in the Winx Stakes at Randwick.
“She began better today, she put herself there, travelled sweetly,” Coleman stated. “It was a beautiful ride by from Luke and he had her in that position where she was going to be able to get mobile when he needed to.”
“She loves defying history, this girl, and I think she’s going to continue to do it as her career progresses. She looked like she did that quite easily today, when you look at the horses that she was up against. She is very, very special and it means so much to our stable.”
Coleman added that Sheza Alibi has physically improved since her two Group 1 victories last season.
“She’s probably come back more of a finished product this time around. She’s always been a lovely horse to look at, but she has developed, is bigger and stronger and hopefully we continue to see that.”
Given the Cox Plate at Flemington this year, Coleman was questioned about its inclusion in Sheza Alibi’s plans.
However, with $10 million on offer in The Golden Eagle (1500m) at Randwick a week later, Coleman indicated that contest remained an attractive option.
“I would say we’re still geared towards the Golden Eagle but never make decisions on race day,” she said.
Nolen, who famously partnered Black Caviar for most of her wins and has been associated with numerous Moody-trained Group 1 winners, admitted he is unsure of Sheza Alibi’s ultimate potential.
“We don’t know her ceiling yet, so that’s the exciting part of it. Outwardly she doesn’t stand out, even as a trackworker she doesn’t stand out, but she’s all racehorse.”
The Makybe Diva Stakes is a feature race on the Melbourne spring carnival calendar, and you can find competitive racing odds at leading Australian betting sites.