Peter Moody has flown like an eagle once before, with outstanding sprinter I Wish I Win, but this year’s Golden Eagle is different with Sheza Alibi.
“Expectation,” Moody said, the one word that can be feared or enjoyed.
“He was a $12 chance, we thought he was a better chance than that, but no one was looking at him.
“He was a sprinter that was jumping up to the 1500m, so there was a bit of uncertainty there.
“Sheza Alibi is a miler and is the best horse in the race.
“Everyone is looking at her, and they should be.”
Moody has experienced it all before, most notably with unbeaten world champion Black Caviar, and has focussed on preparing Sheza Alibi to peak on Golden Eagle Day.
I Wish I Win held on to win the best edition of the Golden Eagle in 2022, holding off Fangirl with Gypsy Goddess running third. He would win a TJ Smith and be Everest runner-up, but Moody knows Sheza Alibi is a different class.
Already a Doncaster, Makybe Diva Stakes and Randwick Guineas winner Sheza Alibi is the $1.80 favourite for Saturday’s $10 million showcase, which will be run at Group 1 level for the first time.
Sheza Alibi 29/10 https://t.co/xFUudtr1FS
— Peter Moody (@moodyracingpgm) October 28, 2026
Many think she should be shorter against her own age, but her defeat by Land Legend in the Might And Power Stakes in track record time has given the doubters something to hold onto.
“It wasn’t the race we thought we were going to get. It was a real test,” Moody said.
“But you look at the form out of it, Kingwood won the Caulfield Cup and Birdman was second in the Cox Plate and they finished behind her.
“She came home after it and had a week at the farm on the treadmill in the paddock and freshened up really well.
“She felt it, as you would expect, but after a day or so she was bright again, and we are very happy with the way we have chosen to get to the Golden Eagle.
“We will get her up there later in the week, and they all know they have to beat her.”
Moody knows with the right run Sheza Alibi has been explosive around Randwick at the mile, and he is enjoying rather than fearing the challenge.
“It is different to I Wish I Win, because she has done it already and we know the 1500m is in her wheelhouse,” Moody said.
“She is bright and alert and ready to go.”
