Extraordinary filly Sheza Alibi (Saxon Warrior) – the $10,000 Inglis Digital fairytale story of the year – produced one of the most spectacular performances seen in a G1 Doncaster Mile in decades, coming from last to first to win eased down by more than 4 lengths.
The 3YO filly drew awkwardly in barrier 13 and jockey Jamie Melham opted to go back from the gate, albeit further back than owner Fred Noffke and co-trainer Peter Moody were expecting.
But it mattered little because when Melham bought the filly to the outside rounding the home bend and let her down, she exploded away to score a 4.3 length victory in the most incredible fashion.
Sheza Alibi is one of 117 Inglis graduates to win a G1 since 2018 and becomes the first 3YO filly since the champion Sunline in 1999 to win the Doncaster.
Queensland farmer Noffke purchased the Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Sheza Alibi on Inglis Digital as a weanling in June 2023 for just $10,000.
She has now won seven of her 10 career starts – and finished in the minor placings at her other three outings – and earned $3,580,695 in prizemoney.
Following her amazing victory today, Noffke recounted why he purchased Sheza Alibi on Inglis Digital almost three years ago.
“I did some homework on her before I bid on her on Inglis Digital,’’ Noffke said.
“I liked the consistency within the family. They all ran, they all won and they were all fertile.
“Every penny I paid for her was worth it!’’
Noffke admitted he wasn’t expecting Sheza Alibi to be so far back in the run today.
“I wanted to be closer to Autumn Boy than she was but [jockey Jamie Melham] knew what she was doing. She went like a Ferrari and I’m sure there’s more to come.’’
Moody, who reached international fame as the trainer of the undefeated superstar and Premier Yearling Sale graduate Black Caviar, was in awe of Sheza Alibi today.
"I've been blessed to train one of the greatest we've ever seen, but this filly's just amazing. I’m not saying she’s Black Caviar but wow, how good!’’ Moody said.
“She’s just a special, special horse. Where’s the ceiling? You just don’t know.
“God that was special. I thought ‘she’s a long way out of her ground’ but Jamie knew what she was doing. I told her to go out there and have some fun and don’t fight with them. She’s just amazing.
“This is one of Australia’s great races. Well done to Freddy Noffke, what a story, the $10,000 filly.’’
Sheza Alibi will now be spelled and likely set for the $10m Golden Eagle at Randwick later this year.
