Sheza Alibi powers clear in dominant Makybe Diva Stakes win
The four-year-old mare swept aside a strong Flemington field, lifting her record to eight wins from 12 starts and extending Luke Nolen’s enduring Group 1 partnership with Peter Moody.
Sheza Alibi proved her status among Australia’s top weight-for-age contenders, accelerating away from her rivals to win Saturday’s $750,000 Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
The $1.60 favourite settled behind second favourite Sir Delius before Luke Nolen brought her into clear running. Sheza Alibi took control in the straight and defeated Autumn Boy, with another neck to the $101 chance Another Wil in third. Sir Delius finished fourth.
Her winning time was 1:35.34. The victory improved her record to eight wins and three seconds from 12 starts, with her only other run producing a third. Her earnings have reached $4,359,945.
Co-trainer Katherine Coleman said the four-year-old had developed physically since her unbeaten autumn campaign, which produced Group 1 victories in the Randwick Guineas and Doncaster Mile.
“She’s probably come back more of a finished product this time around,” Coleman said. “She’s always been a lovely horse to look at. She has developed, is bigger and stronger and hopefully we continue to see that.”
Sheza Alibi had resumed with a second to Autumn Glow in the Winx Stakes, when a slow beginning from barrier one left her with ground to recover. She began cleanly at Flemington and was able to settle closer to the speed.
“She began better today. She put herself there, travelled sweetly,” Coleman said. “It was a beautiful ride from Luke and he had her in that position where she was going to be able to get mobile when he needed to.”
Sheza Alibi became the first mare to win the Makybe Diva Stakes since Southern Speed in 2012 and the first since the race gained Group 1 status in 2013.
The victory was Nolen’s 35th Group 1 win in partnership with Peter Moody. Nolen had previously finished second in the race aboard Typhoon Tracy in 2009 and Manighar in 2012.
“We don’t know her ceiling yet, so that’s the exciting part of it,” Nolen said. “Outwardly she doesn’t stand out, even as a trackworker she doesn’t stand out, but she’s all racehorse.”
The Golden Eagle remains the likely target for Sheza Alibi, although Coleman said the stable would wait before confirming its plans.
“I would say we’re still geared towards the Golden Eagle, but never make decisions on race day,” she said.
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