G1 target next for Alizee after stunning G2 Rosehill win

Alizee confirmed her arrival as a new star of Australian racing with a spectacular win in Saturday’s G2 Expressway Stakes at Rosehill.

On a day when Godolphin won three Stakes races in Australia, Alizee raced up to the G1 form she showed and as a three-year-old last season.

The Expressway victory also further enhanced a pedigree that includes the G1-winning Darley stallion Astern and the two-year-old colt Tassort, a brilliant winner at his only start and a leading G1 Golden Slipper Stakes prospect.

Alizee’s abundant ability had been graphically revealed in her G1 successes in the Flight Stakes and the Queen Of The Turf Stakes against her own age and sex last season.

But after a setback that kept her out of racing last spring, she again proved herself, winning the Listed Christmas Classic first up in December and following up with Saturday’s open-company success.

"It's so good to see a mare of her quality come back like she has," trainer James Cummings said.

"She has had a faultless campaign and she is a serious mare. The Futurity Stakes in Melbourne looks like a great race for her.

"We have great expectations for her."

The G1 Futurity is run at Caulfield on Saturday, 23 February after which Alizee is scheduled to run in the A$5 million All Star Mile at Flemington.

Jockey Blake Shinn, who was aboard Alizee for the first time, described her as “a queen”.

"She was a pleasure to ride. It was really nothing more than a track gallop for her out there."

"I barely even moved on her. I tried to look after her the best I could in the ground."

Alizee’s win proved the highlight of Godolphin’s treble of Stakes wins, with the filly Amercement taking out the G3 Widden Stakes at Rosehill and Tin Hat winning the G3 Manfred Stakes at Caulfield.

Trainer James Cummings said Amercement, who was fourth on debut in the Gimcrack Stakes in September, was improving all the time

"She is a beautiful filly with the advantage of a preparation under her belt," Cummings said.

"Things didn't go quite to plan in the Gimcrack. She got knocked over at the start and was left with a lot to do.

"She was left with a lot left to do again today but with more strength on her side, she savaged the line and is an exciting filly.

"While she is still doing a few things wrong she can keep improving and be a little more switched on when the races get harder.

"She definitely gives the impression that once she steps up to six furlongs (1200m) she will be more tractable. A race like the Sweet Embrace would be suitable."

The Sweet Embrace is one of the main lead-up races to the Slipper on March 23.