Godolphin's strapping Sepoy filly Alizee kickstarted her autumn campaign with a fighting win in Saturday's the Group II Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
Resuming from a spring campaign that included wins in the Group 1 Flight Stakes and Group II Tea Rose Stakes at Randwick, Alizee's lone run in Melbourne came at her most recent start when a fast-finishing third behind Aloisia and Shoals in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield back on October 14.
"She ran in the Thousand Guineas when we went to the well one too many times and it is very, very hard to get horses like her back," winning trainer James Cummings said.
"She's not the easiest of horses to manage. She's taken a lot of energy from everybody to keep her held together and to produce first-up like that with plenty of improvement still up her sleeve.
"You can probably tell by how excited I am. She has a big preparation ahead.
With Glyn Schofield in the saddle, Alizee made a short, sharp dash between runners to hit the lead before flattening out to hold the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott's Shumookh (Dream Ahead) by a head with a short neck back to the Clarry Conners-trained outsider Torvill (Not A Single Doubt) in third. (photo Steve Hart )
Golden Slipper runner-up Frolic (Husson) made a pleasing return to the races with a fast-finishing fourth with Kiwi raider Melody Belle (Commands) in fifth.
"I was actually quite soft on her late and she coasted to the line rather than struggled but it was a good win, Schofield said.
"I know what's underneath and how much improvement there is. I'm not sure what she can get to but it sure is exciting."
The daughter of Sepoy advances her record to 4 wins and 2 seconds and 1 third from 10 starts with earnings of $688,600.
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 (USA) served his first book of mares at Darley Stud last spring at a fee of $38,500 before shuttling to America.
Essaouira showed ability in a career restricted to just two starts.
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.
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 foaled a filly by Medaglia d'Oro (USA) on October 6 and was covered by him again last spring.
