Trainer Chris Waller is aware of the task awaiting Birdman when he confronts Sheza Alibi at Caulfield.
Birdman and Sheza Alibi clash in the Group 1 Might And Power (2000m) on Saturday and on ratings Waller says Sheza Alibi has Birdman’s measure.
In Birdman’s favour though is the gelding has been to 2000m previously while the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Sheza Alibi is yet to start beyond 1600m.
Moody has been keen to try Sheza Alibi at 2000m, even though The Golden Eagle at Randwick on October 31 is the mare’s target race this campaign at 1500m.
The run at 2000m, Moody says, will open options for Sheza Alibi next year and into her five-year-old season.
Waller had Birdman at Caulfield on Tuesday morning for a gallop in preparation for Saturday’s race, as he had done prior to the gelding winning the Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 19.
The champion trainer said he was not thinking too much about whether Birdman can defeat Sheza Alibi.
“I’m not expecting to beat her easily, or anything like that, but I know our horse runs 2000 metres and with Sheza Alibi, they’ll be hoping she gets 2000 metres,” Waller said.
“We have to get her to fail, because if she runs to her ratings, we can’t beat her, but over 2000 metres, it gives us our chance.
“Birdman is in great form. His win the other day was good, and he seems to have come on nicely since that.”
In winning the Underwood Stakes, Birdman lowered the colours of Cosmic Crusader who came out and franked the form winning the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington last Saturday.
Birdman is a dual 2000m winner, but the gelding has finally began putting together some consistency with his form.
Waller put that down to maturity and age.
“He has shown that he is a good horse and he’s doing it at Group 1 level and watching him the other day, it was pretty good to see,” Waller said.
