The Group 1 spring season is set to begin with a blockbuster after Sheza Alibi was confirmed to take on star mare Autumn Glow in Saturday’s Winx Stakes at Randwick.
Peter Moody has indicated to Gareth Hall that Sheza Alibi will kick off her spring campaign in the 1400-metre Group 1 rather than wait for another option.
“Peter Moody has just confirmed that Sheza Alibi will accept for the Winx Stakes this Saturday at Royal Randwick,” he said.
“That is something else to kick off the Group 1 Spring Carnival season,” Gareth said.
Speaking on Giddy Up on Tuesday morning, Hall was keen to get involved at the current price, declaring: “I’d be taking the $4 with bet365 now, I think she’ll start much shorter than that.”
Sheza Alibi has established herself as one of Australian racing’s brightest stars after completing a remarkable autumn campaign with victory in the Doncaster Mile.
Autumn Glow will return as one of the country’s most exciting mares after winning the first 11 starts of her career before suffering her first defeat when third in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000 metres.
Sheza Alibi is currently a $4 chance with Australian betting sites for the Winx Stakes, with Hall expecting that price to shorten ahead of Saturday.
The highly anticipated clash will take place at Royal Randwick on Saturday, August 22, with the Winx Stakes headlining the opening Group 1 meeting of the 2026/27 season.
