First up Missile Stakes winner Alizee is unlikely to have her second Spring Carnival run in Saturday’s Group 1 $500,000 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
Alizee, above in royal blue colours, is an unlikely starter in the Winx Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Alizee was one of three James Cummings trained gallopers nominated for the Winx Stakes but trainer James Cummings is thinking of keeping the three times Group 1 winner home in her box on Saturday.
“I think we will wait for another day with Alizee,’’ Cummings told The Daily Telegraph.
Alizee scored a narrow first up win in the Group 2 $200,000 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on August 10 and the Godolphin owned mare now looks likely to have her next run in Group 2 $200,000 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on September 14
Alizee remains in the mix to fill Godolphin’s slot for The Everest but still has some strong opposition to contend with from several stablemates which includes five times Group 1 runner up Osborne Bulls.
Cummings will still have plenty of ammunition for the Winx Stakes with Group 1 winners Avilius and Best Of Days still in contention.
Avilius became a dual Group 1 winner during the 2019 Sydney Autumn Carnival with two wins at Rosehill in the Group 1 $700,000 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and in the Group 1 $1.5m KIA Tancred Stakes (2400m) but Cummings is confident the six year old can handle the shorter 1400m journey first up.
“The (winning) post is going to be coming up pretty quick but Avilius has demonstrated he does have a weight-for-age finishing sprint and I can envisage a scenario where he will be finishing very fast,’’ Cummings said.
Best Of Days also claimed Group 1 glory with his win in the $1m Kennedy Mile (1600m) at Flemington on day one of the four day 2018 Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Avilius has been posted as the $3.30 favourite for the Winx Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au while Alizee is still included in the betting at $4.80 and Best Of Days is marked at $14
Early betting for the 2019 Winx Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.30 Avilius, $4.20 Verry Elleegant, $4.80 Alizee, $5 Happy Clapper, $10 Invincible Gem, $12 Sesar, Unforgotten, $14 Best Of Days, $15 Kings Will Dream, Le Romain, $16 Dreamforce, $21 Youngstar, $31 Samadoubt, $251 Gala Moshea.
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