Alizee has not had the rub of the green in three starts since winning the Group II Light Fingers Stakes back in February but the brilliant daughter of Sepoy was back to her explosive best in Saturday's $1 million Group I Coolmore Legacy Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.
Given a cold ride by Glyn Schofield, Alizee came with a barnstorming finish from the tail of the field to defeat the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Prompt Response (Beneteau) by two lengths with a half-length back to Tim Martin's Heavens Above (Street Cry) in third. (photos Steve Hart ).
Winner of the Group 1 Flight Stakes over the same track and distance last spring, Alizee advances her record to 5 wins, 2 seconds and 1 third from 14 starts with earnings of 1,410,350.
Godolphin's retained trainer James Cummings said the win came after a tough period where the stable runners had found plenty of trouble.
"You can have tough days," Cummings said.
"A few of our horses have been blocked for a run, it's hard to dwell on those stiff moments when you have a thrilling moment like that.
"She was just waiting to get back to Randwick on a track that suits her.
"We had her here today in perfect condition, she was fully wound up and showed what she could do.
"When Glyn got on the horse I said please just find some fresh air because not many of them have seen it this week. She just motored to the line.
"She is a (half) sister to Astern who is at stud, we've got a Brazen Beau yearling (named Tassport) who is one of the best colts in the stable.
"What a family, it's exciting to train horses as good as these and an absolute privilege to saddle up a horse like her for Sheikh Mohammed."
Bred by Darley, Alizee is the fourth winner from as many foals to race 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.
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 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 in addition to her yearling colt by Brazen Beau.
She has a weanling filly by Medaglia d'Oro (USA) and was covered by that stallion again last spring.
Alizee is far and away the best Australian product by the champion Sepoy whose slow start to his stud career in the southern hemisphere saw him cover just 55 mares last season.
The son of Elusive Quality will move south to Northwood in 2018 where he looks assured of receiving greater support at a fee of $11,000.
