The possibility of seeing ‘black odds’ for the outstanding mare Sheza Alibi in this Saturday’s $10 million Group One Golden Eagle has seemingly diminished following her draw of barrier six.
Now in its second year at Royal Randwick, the four-year-old restricted race accommodates 18 runners. Bookmakers consequently reopened betting, with Sheza Alibi listed at $1.90, and Beiwacht and Autumn Boy sharing the second line of favouritism at $8.
Beiwacht, one of five Group One winners in the field, secured barrier 10. Autumn Boy drew barrier five, positioned directly alongside Sheza Alibi.
Sheza Alibi and Autumn Boy have a track record of quinellaing races when they compete against each other, having achieved this result on four prior occasions. While Autumn Boy triumphed over Sheza Alibi as two-year-olds at Eagle Farm, she has since secured victories in the Randwick Guineas, Doncaster Mile, and Makybe Diva Stakes.
Owner Fred Noffke expressed his contentment with the draw, noting that only a few barrier options remained available. He jokingly remarked that his part was fulfilled and the remainder of the task lay with trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, and jockey Luke Nolen.
“I was very happy,” Noffke said.
“I asked Peter (Moody) what he wanted and Peter didn’t mind so long as I was drawn out a bit, and I said ‘can we take six to twelve?’ and he said, ‘yep, that’ll be fine.”
Noffke indicated that Sheza Alibi, having experienced a surprising defeat in the Group 1 Might And Power Stakes (2000m), has benefited from a freshen-up and is well-prepared for Saturday’s Golden Eagle.
“There was a big discussion back a fair bit and Peter said we can do it,” Noffke commented.
“I’ve not seen anywhere where Peter’s not been right, this has been the plan and I’m sure that he’ll execute it just fine.”
In an attempt to challenge Sheza Alibi, leading trainer Chris Waller has introduced gear modifications for Beiwacht, who will now wear a norton bit, and Autumn Boy, who will race without blinkers. Stable representative Darren Beadman reported that both horses have demonstrated exceptional form in recent trackwork.
“All the way through his career, he’s raced in a ring bit,” Beadman explained.
“So something different, just psychologically, he’ll just get his mind off the normal bit that was in his mouth and the rider that rides most of his work said that he’s really taken to the bit.”
“And when Autumn Boy didn’t have the blinkers on, when he won the Rosehill Guineas, he was just nice and relaxed, so with Zac Purton on board, he’s a good strong rider, a big stallion like Autumn Boy needs someone to help him through it.”
The Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou-trained Skyhook faced a notable drift in the market after drawing barrier 16 and is currently rated a $13 chance. Apocalyptic, the Silver Eagle winner, is priced at $17 and drew the widest gate of 18, being the only other runner available at odds shorter than $21.
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