Former champion Sepoy has five stakes winners to his credit in Europe but was still waiting for his first on Australian soil when Godolphin's giant filly Alizee took her place in Saturday's $200,000 Group II Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
The half-sister to 2016 Golden Rose winner Astern rose to the occasion, finishing the race off powerfully under Glyn Schofield to defeat Champagne Cuddles (Not A Single Doubt) by one and a quarter lengths with
"Everyone has been waiting for her to show up and run well and she has been able to do that today, she certainly showed her best," Schofield said.
"We had a plan where we wanted to be around midfield with cover and we know that she can reel off a strong sectional we got up the rise and I asked her for an effort and she was electric."
Representing winning trainer James Cummings, Darren Beadman said he expected the daughter of Sepoy to advance to the Group 1 $500,000 Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 30.
"She got into a nice rhythm today and he rode her like she was in a barrier trial and he kept her nice and comfortable and got on the right horses back," Beadman said
"It was really important to keep her balanced, that's what we spoke about before the race just
"She's a real confidence filly and is really maturing. Every start, every time she comes to the races she is taking it all in her stride and James had done a wonderful job preparing her for this today."
Second to Tulip in the Group II Magic Night Stakes, Alizee was runner-up to Formality in the Group II Silver Shadow Stakes before finishing a close-up fourth to the same filly in the Group II Furious Stakes.
She advances her record to two wins and two seconds from seven starts with earnings of $235,800.
Bred by Darley, Alizee is the fourth foal, fourth winner and
Her third foal Astern was among the best of his generation at two and three with a career highlight coming when defeating Omei Sword, Impending and Divine Prophet in the Group I Golden Rose.
The handsome son of Medaglia d'Oro is currently serving his first book of mares at Darley Stud at a fee of $38,500.
She won on debut at Moonee Valley before finishing unplaced in a Listed race at Caulfield.
The daughter of Exceed And Excel is the only foal left in Australia by the Group II Magic Night Stakes winner Alizes who was sent to America by Darley Stud.
By the speed influence Rory's Jester, Alizes is a daughter of the Group 1 Galaxy Stakes heroine La Baraka (Euclase) herself out of the 5-time Group 1 winner Triscay.
Essaouira has 2yo filly foal by Animal Kingdom (USA) named Leopard and a yearling colt by Brazen Beau.
She was covered by Medaglia d'Oro (USA) again last spring.
