Classy mare Alizee remains high in calculations for Godolphin’s vacant Everest slot after scoring a strong barrier trial victory at Randwick, downing Doncaster Mile winner Brutal.
Sheikh Mohammed’s team is keeping options open in regard to the Everest with Alizee, Osborne Bulls, Trekking and possibly three-year-old Bivouac all on the short list.
Alizee did her chances no harm with her trial performance on Friday, racing close to the speed and getting the better of Brutal, who also turned in a high-quality trial effort, to score by a length.
“It was an outstanding trial and it was no surprise to us because we feel like she’s going well,” trainer James Cummings told Sky Sports Radio.
“I spoke to Daz (Darren Beadman) who’s out there this morning and he said this is as good as she’s ever looked, and Hugh Bowman just felt the trial was superb.
“We’ve got a bit of time up our sleeve now to keep her ticking over and have her really fresh on the day.”
Alizee, who has not raced since finishing third to Scales Of Justice in the Group One Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 31, will have her next start on Everest day at Randwick on October 19, if not in the $14 million race then possibly the Group Three Sydney Stakes (1200m) on the same program.
Stablemates in the Everest mix include Trekking, a runner in the Moir Stakes at The Valley on Friday and Bivouac, favourite for Saturday’s Group One Golden Rose (1400m) in Sydney.
Osborne Bulls will show his wares next weekend with Cummings confirming the multiple Group One placegetter will tackle the Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Epsom Handicap day.
“We’ve thought about it and that’s what we want to do, we want to run him in the Premiere on Epsom day and that will give us as good a guide as we can get on whether he’s going to be the one for us,” Cummings said.
“We can make our decision about which horse we use for our own slot once we’ve got through the next week or so.
“We’ve got a handful of sprinters to choose from and we’ve got until late in the piece to make our own decision.”
TAB markets have Osborne Bulls the shortest of Godolphin’s possible Everest runners at $8 with Alizee $15 and Bivouac and Trekking both $26 chances.
