Sheza Alibi might yet emerge as the shortest-priced favourite from a three-year-old filly in a century, even with barrier 13 in the Group 1 $4 million Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick this Saturday.
The filly prepared by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman drifted marginally to $2.10 favourite following the key barrier draw on Tuesday morning, while chief competitor Autumn Boy tightened from $6 to $5 after securing the inside draw.
“I’ve eased Sheza Alibi slightly to $2.10, not because she drew a little wide but her main rival Autumn Boy has the rails barrier,” TAB Fixed Odds spokesman Tim Ryan said.
“I don’t think Sheza Alibi’s barrier is a disadvantage but Autumn Boy is probably going to settle in front of her.
“But I would not be surprised if Sheza Alibi starts shorter on raceday as she is very popular with our punters and over 70 percent of the all-in money is on her.”
The sole instance of a three-year-old filly going odds-on in the Doncaster came when Valicare triumphed at 5/4 on ($1.80) all the way back in 1926.
During the contemporary period, no filly has launched at shorter odds than Sunline, who claimed her initial Doncaster victory in 1999 at 10/9 ($2.10).
Mighty mare Winx was aged four years when she captured the 2016 Doncaster as the $1.80 market elect.
Sixteen horses make up the final field for the Doncaster Mile, with Tuesday’s barrier allocations featuring several notable outcomes:
Hall of Fame conditioner Moody has previously “led in” a Doncaster victor – though as a 19-year-old strapper for Tommy Smith’s Lygon Arms back in 1988.
“I haven’t had much exposure in the Doncaster as a trainer,” Moody told Racing And Sports.
“But I was strapper for Lygon Arms all those years ago. TJ knew how to win the race and obviously we would love to win it.”
Moody indicated minimal worry over Sheza Alibi’s wide gate of 13 in the Doncaster.
“Sheza Alibi can settle midfield, three-deep with cover,” Moody said.
“She’s done really well since winning the Randwick Guineas and she won’t get into a handicap with 49kg again so we sort of had to go to the Doncaster.
“Jamie (Melham, jockey) rode her in a trial last week so she’s had the opportunity to put the filly through her paces and we are very pleased with her preparation.”
Moody and Coleman also enter a pair in the Group 1 $2 million ATC Australian Derby (2400m) through Victorious Spirit and Bingi.
“Victorious Spirit is going well, he just got caught wide the other day,” Moody said.
“I think Victorious Spirit and Bingi will improve for the Derby.”
Godolphin’s Observer holds at $3 favouritism for the Randwick feature as he bids to join the recent horses in four years – Hitotsu (2022) and Riff Rocket (2024) – in achieving the VRC Derby-ATC Australian Derby double.
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