Katherine Coleman says the stable is entering an exciting phase as she and co-trainer Peter Moody prepare star fillies Ole Dancer and Sheza Alibi for their respective Autumn campaigns.
After heading into spring with some uncertainty around the stable’s elite prospects, Ole Dancer delivered Coleman her first Group 1 victory in Melbourne when she captured the Thousand Guineas (1600m), defeating highly regarded filly Apocalyptic.
Ole Dancer was subsequently sent to the paddock following her October success, allowing stablemate Sheza Alibi to step into the spotlight.
Sheza Alibi made the most of her opportunity, winning the Group 2 Vanity Stakes (1400m) at Flemington before producing a dominant 5.8-length victory in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) in mid-November.
With both fillies emerging as elite performers, speculation arose as to which might have the edge, but Coleman said the pair will be split and aimed at separate Group 1 targets through autumn.
“Both have come back in really good order,” Coleman said.
“They’ll have their first jump out, not this Tuesday, but the following Tuesday, then probably a week in between.
“First jump out will just be soft. They won’t be asked to do anything. They’ll have another more serious one in either a week or a fortnight.”
“I think we will try and split them, because Sheza Alibi had such a deep Spring, we’ll probably look to keep her here in Victoria whereas Ole Dancer we’ll likely take to Sydney.”
Coleman confirmed Sheza Alibi will be set for the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m), while Ole Dancer will target the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m), both scheduled for February 28.
Markets are already active with leading Australian betting sites for the Australian Guineas and Surround Stakes as the Autumn Carnival approaches.
“Both of them are really exciting, and the other filly that has come back really well is Alpha Sofie, she won the Atlantic Jewel at Moonee Valley,” Coleman said.
“She’s probably more of a short course, whereas the other two fillies will get a bit further, so it’s very exciting.”
The post Autumn targets revealed for Moody & Coleman fillies first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
