Craig Kerry
Hall of Fame trainer Peter Moody was brought to tears by the “amazing” Sheza Alibi after the $10,000 online buy dominated the $4 million Doncaster Mile as girl power ruled on day one of the Championships at Randwick.
Melbourne-Caulfield Cup winner Jamie Melham, already a Doncaster champion on Cascadian in 2021, took the $1.90 favourite from second last to round the field on the home turn before she raced away to a four and a quarter-length victory. It was the first time a filly has won the handicap since champion Sunline in 1999.
“What a horse, I trialled her the other day and she gave me a nice feel, but with blinkers on today, Jesus Christ, I’ve never sat on a horse that has given me goosebumps like that before,” Melham said.
“I got pushed a bit wide and got back a bit too far, but we got there in about a few strides and she just sailed away from them. I’ve sat on some very special horses before, but I don’t think any come close to the feel she just gave me then.”
Matt Smith-trained Dezignation, a $151 shot, was second in the Derby.
Rachel King then took Bjorn Baker-trained, Godolphin-owned Green Spaces to a three and a quarter-length win in the $2 million Australian Derby (2400m), becoming the first female jockey to claim the race, which was first held in 1861.
King, the first female rider to win a group 1 in Japan, thanked Baker for his support. She earlier rode Blue Door to victory for Baker in Kindergarten Stakes. She also claimed the group 2 Chairman’s Quality on Victorian stayer Newlook.
“I’ve had some much belief in this horse, the whole team has, they’ve done an amazing job and Bjorn has just timed it to perfection,” King said of Green Spaces.
“[Baker is a] massive supporter of mine, especially when I disappear for a month to ride in Japan, but he’s always there for me when I come back. I made an effort this year to come back and trial him during my trip, I was just so adamant to stay on him, so thanks to Bjorn and the Godolphin team for sticking with me.”
Sheza Alibi, though, was the star of the day for Moody, co-trainer Katherine Coleman and owner Fred Noffke.
“Oh, God, that was special,” said Moody, who trained unbeaten legend Black Caviar.
“I thought she’s a long way out of her ground, but Jamie knew what she’s doing. I just said to her, go out and have some fun. And don’t fight with them. Just do what you’ve got to do.
“She’s just amazing. I’ve been blessed to train one of the greatest we’ve ever seen, but this filly is just amazing. I’m not saying she’s Black Caviar, but that was just … Shit. How good?
“She’s just a special, special horse. Crikey, where’s the ceiling? You don’t know. Well done, Freddie Noffke. What a story, you know? A $10,000 filly.
“Being a Randwick kid, you know, I arrived here when I was 14 and worked for the general, TJ [Smith], and I hadn’t won a Doncaster. This is one of Australia’s great races.”
A much-anticipated clash between Sheza Alibi and unbeaten Autumn Glow was avoided when the Chris Waller-trained star was taken to next week’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes rather than the Doncaster. Moody was not chasing a clash but hoped it would happen.
“I’m happy Autumn Glow wasn’t here, I can tell you that,” he said.
“She’s a superstar, and we saw her style of stuff here earlier in the day, and the day will probably come, let’s hope it does for Australian racing, when they meet.
“But I’m happy to stay away from them for as long as we possibly can. But I don’t think we’re going to hide from too many when you see a performance like that.”
The Derby win had special meaning for Baker, too. He had helped his father, Murray, prepare five Australian Derby champions, but Green Spaces was the first under his name.
“I spoke to Murray a lot this week, I asked him what would you do, he said ‘don’t leave him short son’, the rain came this morning and I was very confident he was fit enough,” Baker said.
He then listed his father’s greatest wins and said “but he never won a Melbourne Cup. He come a close second. Maybe this guy can go one better.”
