Trainer combination Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman are set to introduce Sheza Alibi to the 2000-metre distance in what appears to be a manageable contest at Caulfield.
While Group 1 races present a significant challenge, Sheza Alibi will compete against only five other horses in Saturday’s Might And Power Stakes.
This race is anticipated to be an ideal stepping stone for Sheza Alibi to gain experience over 2000 metres, providing her trainers with crucial information regarding her capacity to handle the trip in the future.
With a favourable run, it’s expected to be less strenuous than participating in a larger field, especially with the tempting $10 million prize on offer in The Golden Eagle (1500m) at Randwick on October 31, a race that is a major focus for Moody, Coleman, and owner Fred Noffke.
Coleman expressed her eagerness for Sheza Alibi’s return to racing on Saturday, following her commanding victory in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 12, noting the mare’s excellent physical condition.
Coleman is equally enthusiastic about observing Sheza Alibi’s performance over the 2000-metre distance this weekend.
“It will be interesting (the trip), and my gut feel is she will relish it,” Coleman said.
“Until they actually do it under race pressure, you always have a little question mark in the back of your head, but she has given us every indication that she’s going to appreciate it.”
The subsequent objective is to bring Sheza Alibi back to the 1500-metre distance of The Golden Eagle.
The choice to run in Saturday’s race was strategic, offering a dual benefit.
Moody aimed to avoid the need for strenuous training after Sheza Alibi’s Makybe Diva win before targeting The Golden Eagle, and this race allows the team to assess the mare over 2000 metres.
It will also provide valuable data on Sheza Alibi’s potential to compete effectively over longer distances later in her career.
Coleman described Sheza Alibi as a delight to train, noting her sharp understanding of when to engage in trackwork and when to focus on race preparation.
“She’s got a fantastic will to win which all the good horses have,” Coleman stated.
“She’s quite funny. She’s quite relaxed in her trackwork and she doesn’t go out there and run amazing times every day and look like a champion on the track.
“She just goes about her business every day and gets the job done, saving it for race day.”
Coleman expressed considerable respect for Chris Waller’s charge, Birdman, a dual Group 1 winner over 2000 metres, but emphasized that none of the remaining four rivals would be taken lightly.
“It will be interesting to see how the race sets up,” Coleman commented.
“He (Birdman) is a quality horse, and we have a lot of respect for him.”
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