First up specialist Alizee has been installed as the odds on favourite for the Group 2 $200,000 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
The three times Group 1 winner has won three of her four first up runs in the past and trainer James Cummings is expecting the mare to produce another scintillating fresh performance.
“She’s come up really nicely this preparation and with a couple of nice public hit-outs at the trials she will be ready to go this weekend first-up in the Missile,” Cummings said.
“She’s a horse that was able to win the Expressway so nicely first-up last preparation, so we expect her to put in a strong showing this Saturday at a track and distance she has a good record.
“She’s a brilliant six-furlong filly and goes particularly well fresh and her work this week has impressed the whole team.”
Alizee burst into the Group 1 winner’s club early in her three year old season with her victory in the $500,000 Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick during the 2017 Spring Carnival and then claimed another in the 2018 Sydney Autumn Carnival with her win in the Group 1 $1m Coolmore Legacy Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.
The 2019 Melbourne Autumn Carnival was also a successful campaign for Alizee when she claimed her third Group 1 trophy with a win in the Group 1 $500,000 Yulong Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Alizee has drawn barrier three in the small five horse Missile Stakes field with Hugh Bowman taking the mount.
Bowman has ridden the Sepoy mare on five previous occasions, including her win in the Futurity Stakes, and was also aboard for her two recent barrier trials which resulted in a fourth at Rosehill and a win in a 900m Randwick trial on July 30.
Betting for the Missile Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au has Alizee marked as the $1.50 favourite ahead of Le Romain at $3.80 and Vegadaze at $6.50.