Star mare Alizee will run for Godolphin in the $14 million Everest with champion jockey Hugh Bowman to ride.
The triple Group One-winning mare got the nod for Godolphin’s slot in Saturday week’s rich sprint at Randwick ahead of her younger Golden Rose-winning stablemate Bivouac.
“We are in the fortunate position of having a choice of quality runners for The Everest, each of which would have been a great chance in the race,” Vin Cox, managing director of Godolphin Australia, said.
“It wasn’t a simple decision, but in the end Alizee is a high-class mare who has shown excellent form when fresh.
“She has shown us in her training and in a recent barrier trial that she is in great form and it’s our belief that she offers us an outstanding chance in this great race.
“We feel that a colt like Bivouac has the opportunity to win a variety of Group One races which he will now be aimed at.”
Alizee has been kept fresh with The Everest in mind since her latest start when third in the Group One Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 31.
The mare turned in an impressive track gallop between races at Randwick on Wednesday.
“She has a great record at Randwick winning five races including two at Group One level – she’s right in this race and we expect her to run well,” trainer James Cummings said.
Bivouac’s next spring target will be the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) for three-year-olds at Flemington on November 2 while the colt also holds a nomination in the Manikato Stakes.
Alizee is at $11 for The Everest with Santa Ana Lane the $4.60 favourite.
After three-year-old colt Yes Yes Yes was also announced on Thursday as the representative for Chris Waller Racing’s Everest slot, only one of the 12 slots is left.
The Melbourne Racing Club’s slot will be offered to the winner of Saturday’s Group Two Schillaci Stakes (1100m).
Godolphin’s Stradbroke Handicap winner Trekking is the favourite for the Schillaci.
