Godolphin homebred Alizee is unlikely to win any beauty contests yet for Godolphin's newly retained trainer James Cummings and the much-maligned Sepoy she is a work of art.
The gangly bay filly came with a barnstorming finish in Saturday's Group I Flight Stakes (1600m) to earn Cummings a first win at the highest level in his new post and credit the champion Sepoy with his first Group I winner.
Winner of the Group II Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) at Randwick a fortnight ago, Alizee was sent off the punters choice and she delivered in style.
Given a patient ride by Glyn Schofield, Astern's half-sister weaved between runners and 200 metres from home there was only going to be one winner.
The daughter of Sepoy charged home to defeat the perennial bridesmaid Champagne Cuddles by two and a quarter lengths with the same distance back to
"This filly has just given me so much confidence, especially from her last start win. She's got a turn of speed second to none at the end of her race," Schofield said.
"Hard-pressed to suggest she won't get further, she was really electric coming from the back of the field, I'm pretty happy she's won over a mile."
Cummings said he was thrilled to get a Group I winner for Godolphin three months after taking the high-pressure job.
"It's so important. It's the pinnacle of racing and its why Sheikh Mohammed has such a great passion for his horses," Cummings said.
"It's great for the whole team – you can't imagine the kick
"She went to sleep in the tie-up stalls out the back. She had a perfect preparation to peak in the grand final. She has walked in. Full credit to all the staff.
"I'm not sure if we'll press on with
Alizee advances her record to three wins and two seconds from eight starts with earnings of $527,800.
Bred by Darley, Alizee is the fourth foal, fourth winner and second Group I winner out of the Exceed And Excel mare Essaouira.
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.
Alizee becomes the first Group I winner for 4-time Group I winner Sepoy whose service fee was halved to $16,500 this year.
