Sheza Alibi's co-trainer Katherine Coleman is confident the public will see the best of the 4-year-old mare when she lines up in the Oct. 10 Might And Power (G1) at Caulfield Racecourse.
Having returned with a second placing behind Autumn Glow in the Winx Stakes (G1) Aug. 22, the daughter of Saxon Warrior then produced a huge effort to cruise to victory in last month's Makybe Diva Stakes (G1) and now chases a fourth group 1.
"She's super," Coleman, who trains in partnership with Peter Moody, told Racing.com. "I've been really, really pleased with her. I think this is probably the best she's been all preparation, she just seems very happy within herself and her work leading into Saturday has been really good. Obviously, it's going to be our first go at 2,000 meters, which is always a little bit of a question mark until they tick that box under race conditions, but she's given us every indication that she's going to come here in tip top shape."
Chris Waller believes the 2,000-meter (about 1 1/4-mile) test of Saturday's Might And Power could give Birdman his chance to topple the star filly. Birdman enters the race off victory in the 1,800-meter (about 1 1/8-mile) Underwood Stakes (G1), while Sheza Alibi is yet to race beyond 1,600 meters (about 1 mile).
"If she runs to her ratings, we can't beat her, but over 2,000 meters, it gives us our chance," Waller said. Birdman worked Oct. 6 at Caulfield and Waller reported the gelding had progressed well since his Underwood success, form which was subsequently franked when runner-up Cosmic Crusader won the Oct. 3 Turnbull Stakes (G1). Waller believes maturity has helped the 6-year-old Birdman produce greater consistency this campaign.
Waller Enters Quartet in Caulfield Guineas
Waller will saddle four colts in Saturday's Caulfield Guineas (G1) as he chases a third consecutive victory in the 3-year-old feature. Tron Bolt, Diameter, Central Europe, and Somethings Burnin' all galloped at Caulfield Tuesday, giving them experience of the tie-up stalls, mounting yard, and track ahead of race day.
"It's important to come here as they come here on race day more relaxed," Waller said.
The barrier draw was less favorable, with Tron Bolt allocated gate 11, Diameter in 9, and Central Europe in 7, while Somethings Burnin' drew gate 3. Waller said his wider-drawn runners would likely be ridden patiently in a bid to conserve energy. Tron Bolt has been aimed at the Guineas since winning the J. J. Atkins (G1), while Central Europe enters the race still a maiden after placing in three of five starts. Diameter and Somethings Burnin' filled the quinella in the Stutt Stakes (G2) at Caulfield last start, with Waller hopeful a gear change can help the latter bridge the margin. While Diameter is a homebred for Godolphin, the other three were purchased by Waller, Mulcaster Bloodstock, and partners at the 2025 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Welcometotheshow Steps Up in Toorak
Last-start Tontonan Stakes winner Welcometotheshow is Toorak Handicap (G1) bound after taking in a barrier trial Oct. 1 at Caulfield Heath. The 5-year-old entire finished sixth over 1,000 meters (about 5 furlongs) and trainer Tyler Donaldson-Aitken is happy with the son of Showtime's condition heading into Saturday's group 1.
"There was a group 1 horse in there that had performed well over a shorter distance, and it was in front of us," Donaldson-Aitken said of Welcometotheshow's trial. "They went a bit slow early and it kicked away late, but Craig (Newitt, jockey) was happy with how he trialed. We wanted him to have a bit of a blow today. He hadn't done any big pieces of work since he last raced in the listed race at Flemington, so it was a good gallop for him.
"He'll get in on the minimum, still a couple of points out of handicap, but you can't really argue with 52 (kilos, in the Toorak). ... He always keeps stepping up and as you lift the bar, he keeps stepping up to it and coming to Saturday, it's another big step up again, so we'll see how he goes."
Chief among his opposition will be Regal Award, who will be making the second start of his spring season. The 5-year-old gelding finished third first-up in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (G1) Sept. 19 at Caulfield, beaten 1 1/4 lengths by Angel Capital.
