It wasn’t pretty, but Alizee earned the Blue Army of Godolphin another Group 1 win during Saturday’s Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
The James Cummings trained four-year-old was the odds on favourite at $2.80 with Ladbrokes, but certainly had her work cut out for her against a quality field of Group 1 winners comprising of Le Romain, Brave Smash, Manuel, Redkirk Warrior, Hartnell, and second place-getter, Malaguerra.
Alizee (No. 11), remains the odds on favourite for next month’s All-Star Mile at Flemington. Photo Credit: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Alizee drew an awkward barrier 11 for the $500,000 race, but ran on strongly to win by a half head. The win made it 87 Group 1 victories for the immortal Hugh Bowman, who fought tooth and nail down the straight to get his ride close enough to snatch the win.
“She’s a class horse there’s no doubt about it” Bowman claimed after the race.
“Bit of an extended break for whatever reason, I’m not sure what that was, but James (Cummings) has brought her along nice and steadily this preparation, she hasn’t left a stone unturned, and she came here today first time this preparation in Melbourne, and she certainly lived up to her reputation in Sydney.”
Alizee, who won the Group 1 Coolmore Legacy Stakes (1600m) at Randwick last April, is also the favourite for next months $5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington. Bowman will no doubt get the ride following Saturday’s success, although he admits he’ll be hoping for better luck from the barriers next time around.
“I didn’t have a great deal of luck from an awkward draw, she had to make her own luck, and she sustained her run to the line very well,” Bowman said.
Alizee is a $2.80 chance with Ladbrokes for the All-Star Mile on March 16, and trainer James Cummings thinks she’s every chance as the winning streak continues to grow.
Cummings: “She’s just in ripping form, that’s four win straight for her, that’s a Group 1 weight-for-age winner, and I mean, they don’t hand them out, that’s probably the toughest I’ve seen a horse of mine win the Group 1” Cummings said.
Godolphin will also be hoping fellow stablemate Hartnell, who is a $21.00 chance for the All-Star Mile, can earn a Wildcard spot in the race after running third.
Full All-Star Mile Odds:
