Trainer Chris Waller is well aware of the significant challenge Birdman will face when he competes against Sheza Alibi at Caulfield.
The Group 1 Might And Power Stakes (2000m) on Saturday will see Birdman and Sheza Alibi go head-to-head. Waller has assessed the situation, suggesting that Sheza Alibi holds an edge over Birdman based on their respective ratings.
However, a point in Birdman’s favour is his past performances over 2000m, while Sheza Alibi, under the care of Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, has not yet raced beyond 1600m.
Peter Moody has been eager to try Sheza Alibi over the 2000m distance, despite her primary objective for this campaign being The Golden Eagle at Randwick on October 31, a race run over 1500m.
Moody believes that competing at 2000m will broaden Sheza Alibi’s future racing opportunities, extending into her five-year-old season.
In preparation for Saturday’s race, Birdman had a gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday morning, a similar routine to what he had before winning the Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 19.
The champion trainer commented that he wasn’t overly fixated on whether Birdman could outclass Sheza Alibi.
“I’m not expecting to beat her easily, or anything like that, but I know our horse runs 2000 metres and with Sheza Alibi, they’ll be hoping she gets 2000 metres,” Waller said.
“We have to get her to fail, because if she runs to her ratings, we can’t beat her, but over 2000 metres, it gives us our chance. Birdman is in great form. His win the other day was good, and he seems to have come on nicely since that.”
Birdman’s victory in the Underwood Stakes saw him defeat Cosmic Crusader, who subsequently confirmed the form by winning the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington last Saturday.
Birdman is a proven performer over 2000m, having won at the distance twice previously, and the gelding is now exhibiting a pleasing consistency in his racing form.
Waller attributes this consistent form to Birdman’s increased maturity and age.
“He has shown that he is a good horse and he’s doing it at Group 1 level and watching him the other day, it was pretty good to see,” Waller added.
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