Trainer Peter Moody is yet to finalise the latter part of Sheza Alibi’s spring program, but he intends to stick to the original plan for his stable star’s second-up run in the Makybe Diva Stakes.
The four-year-old mare is scheduled to make her first start in her adopted home state since winning the Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) last preparation. This Saturday, she will compete in the $750,000 Group 1 event over 1600 metres at Flemington.
Her first-up run saw her finish second to Autumn Glow in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m). Moody highlighted her decisive victory over Autumn Boy in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) as an example of her capacity for improvement between runs 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 commented.
“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 outcome of this weekend’s race will be instrumental in Moody and co-trainer Katherine Coleman’s decision-making process regarding her future engagements.
The daughter of Saxon Warrior is currently the firm favourite for the $10 million Golden Eagle on October 31 and is considered the primary threat to Autumn Glow in the King Charles III Stakes, held two weeks prior. However, Moody suggested that a rematch with Autumn Glow in the $5 million Group 1 race is not guaranteed.
“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 stated. “If I run her two weeks before I’ll maybe even do it here, if I think she needs it.”
The only Melbourne option for Sheza Alibi on October 17 is the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes, a $300,000 set weights and penalties race for mares over 1400m. The $1 million Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) is scheduled at Caulfield seven days earlier.
Given the current ambiguity surrounding her campaign, Moody is maintaining the possibility of a Cox Plate start. The $6 million Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) remains an option, and although she is an unlikely participant, she will be paid up for when first acceptances are submitted on Tuesday.
Considering the strong field, exploring betting markets for the Makybe Diva Stakes on Australian betting sites could be a wise move.