After celebrating Guineas glory earlier this spring, the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman team are poised for another big result at Caulfield this weekend.
Their rising filly Sheza Alibi has been installed a commanding $1.70 favourite for the Sandown Guineas, giving the Pakenham partnership a strong chance of collecting their second feature in just a month.
The $400,000 race comes on the heels of their Group 1 success with Ole Dancer in the Thousand Guineas, and Coleman says Sheza Alibi has earned her spot in the 1600m Group 2.
Sent from Queensland specifically to tackle the rich array of three-year-old Black Type races in Victoria, Sheza Alibi has thrived throughout her southern campaign, and Coleman expects the upward curve to continue into autumn.
“These fillies, you’re just always looking to build on their pedigree, so this is a brilliant opportunity to try and do that with her,” Coleman said.
“I think, in the autumn, she’s going to be probably a bit more furnished and a bit more mature and I certainly think that she’ll be in some of those nice races over the autumn.”
Sheza Alibi arrived with solid Queensland credentials. After finishing runner-up on debut, she won at Rockhampton before claiming the Townsville 2YO Classic (1200m) and finishing second in the Listed Tatts Stakes (1400m).
Her Victorian debut saw her run third in the Gothic Stakes, then she broke through in the Group 3 The Vanity at Flemington on Derby Day.
The Saxon Warrior filly powered home to score by 1-3/4 lengths over 1400m, a win that strengthened her credentials for a rise to the mile.
“The way she finished that race off and how well she came through it gave us the idea that we might look at her at the mile,” Coleman said.
“She’s given us every indication that she’s going to eat it up.”
Luke Nolen, who partnered her in her Derby Day victory, again takes the reins and will commence from barrier one in the 12-horse field.
For Sandown Guineas betting, check the markets at the JHR bookmakers hub.


