Trainer Peter Moody is still finalising the latter stages of Sheza Alibi’s spring campaign but is committed to the original plan of a second-up appearance in the Makybe Diva Stakes with his prominent stable mare.
The four-year-old mare will make her first appearance in her home state since securing a victory in the Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) during her previous preparation. This Saturday, she contests the $750,000 Group 1 event over 1600 metres at Flemington.
She resumed from a break with a second-place finish behind Autumn Glow in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m). Moody highlighted her commanding win over Autumn Boy in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) as a clear indicator of the significant improvement she can achieve between starts early in her campaign.
“She had a week down at the beach after the trip (to Sydney), had a good gallop on Tuesday morning and she’ll have another one this week,” Moody stated.
“She won the Guineas second-up at a mile last prep then won the Doncaster a month later at a mile. She doesn’t need racing to hold her fitness.”
The mare’s performance this weekend will significantly influence Moody and co-trainer Katherine Coleman’s strategy for her upcoming races.
Sheza Alibi, a daughter of Saxon Warrior, is the strong favourite for the $10 million Golden Eagle on October 31 and is considered the primary challenger to Autumn Glow in the King Charles III Stakes, scheduled two weeks prior. However, Moody indicated that a rematch with Autumn Glow in the $5 million Group 1 event is not a certainty.
“You’ve got the King Charles, but it’s only two weeks before the other one (Golden Eagle) and I hate the thought of two trips, because I won’t leave her there,” he explained. “If I run her two weeks before I’ll maybe even do it here, if I think she needs it.”
The sole option for Sheza Alibi in Melbourne on October 17 is the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes, a $300,000 set weights and penalties race for mares over 1400m. Alternatively, the $1 million Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) takes place at Caulfield seven days before.
The uncertainty surrounding her racing schedule means Moody is keeping the door open for a start in the $6 million Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m). While she is not a definite runner, she will be paid up for when first acceptances are finalized on Tuesday.
Punters are keen to back Sheza Alibi in the Makybe Diva Stakes, check out the best Australian betting sites for the latest odds.
