Racing
Ray On Sunday
Hall of Fame trainer Peter Moody has dismissed speculation of a showdown between his sensational Doncaster Mile winner Sheza Alibi and unbeaten super mare Autumn Glow in the $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick next Saturday.
"I'm pretty happy that Autumn Glow wasn't there yesterday,'' Moody told this writer on Big Sports Breakfast Weekend on Sunday.
"And she (Autumn Glow) will probably be happy we won't be there next Saturday.
"It (clash between Sheza Alibi and Autumn Glow) would be great for the industry, great for the sport, but you are not going to see it this season, I'm afraid.''
Moody is famous as the trainer of all-time great sprinter Black Caviar, who was unbeaten in 25 starts including 15 at Group 1 level, and it seems he has another rising champion in his stable with Sheza Alibi.
Sheza Alibi produced an unbelievable effort to come from last on the turn, unleashing a tremendous burst of acceleration down the outside to win the Doncaster by more than four lengths.
"It was breathtaking,'' Moody said. "She caught me quite unawares.
"You are never quite sure of a three-year-old filly in a big handicap but obviously we had a lot of advantages with the weight and conditions, and we knew she had had a bombproof preparation.
"But I was quite gobsmacked watching that win yesterday.''
Moody admitted he was concerned Sheza Alibi was standing the leaders too big a start.
"Mid-race I said to my wife, Sarah, we are a long way off them,'' Moody said. "I thought 'crikey' it is going to be a bit of a performance from here.
"But she went from last and joined the leaders in 50m. It was an amazing win.''
Moody confirmed Sheza Alibi would be set for the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Royal Randwick on October 31 and not the $6 million Cox Plate (2000m) at Flemington a week earlier.
"It is impossible not to go to a Golden Eagle when it is for four-year-olds only and it is a mile at Randwick,'' he said.
"Look at what she has done over the last month at a mile at Randwick – and it is a $10 million race.
"I'm a purist, I love racing and I haven't got a Cox Plate on the mantelpiece yet.
"This year would probably be my best ever chance if she was aimed at a Cox Plate.
"But numerically you have to be realistic. The Golden Eagle is a terrific race and I was fortunate enough to win it a few years back (I Wish I Win, 2022).
"The $5.7 milIion (first prizemoney) – it is hard to win with a pick and shovel!"
A KING CHARLES CLASH?
Well, it could happen with the Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes on Everest Day during the Sydney spring carnival the most likely race where the nation's two most exciting horses will finally clash.
There won't be a Cox Plate campaign for Sheza Alibi this year which opens the door for a clash with Autumn Glow in the King Charles III Stakes.
Sheza Alibi is now a two-time Group 1 winner over the Randwick 1600m course so the King Charles III Stakes on October 17 looms as a likely target before her ultimate spring carnival mission, the Golden Eagle two weeks later.
Autumn Glow is also a two-time Group 1 winner over the Randwick 1600m course and the King Charles III Stakes would suit her perfectly and that would still leave the option of backing up in the Cox Plate a week later.
SHEZA RATING THAT
Freakish filly Sheza Alibi's Doncaster Mile win was visually spectacular and it was no surprise the filly has received a loftyTimeform 
rating for her last-to-first effort.
The wonder filly has been afforded a 126 rating which has been bettered by only two horses this season – Hong Kong superstar sprinter Ka Ying Rising returned a 128 figure winning The Everest last spring which was matched by Autumn Glow in her outstanding George Ryder Stakes win last start.
A FAIR WAY FROM ROCKY
Universal Harmony shouldered 60.5kg and defeated the two-year-old filly Sheza Alibi by nearly three lengths, recording a fast 1m 02.42s.
But Sheza Alibi has since won seven of her nine starts including her last five in succession culminating with her unforgettable Doncaster Mile win last Saturday.
So, what has happened to Universal Harmony? Formerly trained by Team Hayes, the gelding had gone winless in 11 starts before being transferred to Jamie McConachy at Rockhampton and winning on debut for his new trainer in that maiden on April 11 last year.
Universal Harmony has now won four of his nine starts in Central Queensland but hasn't raced since he scored in a class 6 at Mackay over 1200m last December.
A SUPER DOOPER WIN
It was probably the mighty miler Super Impose when he won the first of his two Doncasters in 1990.
Super Impose was trained by Lee Freedman and it was good to see the Hall of Famer at Randwick on Saturday, this time as a part-owner of Profoundly.
Profoundly's rider, Tommy Berry, wore the famous Freedman family colours of red, purple sash, white sleeves and purple cap, that had been worn by so many of the trainer's best horses including 1992 Melbourne Cup winner Subzero, Mummify (2003 Caulfield Cup) and Danzero (1994 Golden Slipper).
Profoundly, trained by Michael Freedman, is by Golden Slipper winner Farnan but the filly can obviously stay and will back up in the Group 1 $1 million ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick next Saturday.
She is further evidence that pedigree isn't everything – a point Lee Freedman to Racing And Sports made after Profoundly's win.
"I remember buying Subzero to win a Golden Slipper but he ended up winning the Melbourne Cup,'' he said.