Classy Alizee to take Flight at peak

A landmark victory at her latest start has propelled Alizee to the lofty heights of G1 racing in the Flight Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

Alizee scored breakthrough black-type success in the G2 Tea Rose Stakes at Randwick two weeks ago, a win that was also the first in Australia at Stakes level for her sire Sepoy.

The step up to racing’s top rank poses new challenges for Alizee, but her trainer James Cummings is confident she is ready for them.

“She comes to this race ready to peak,” Cummings said.

“She’s had a very good preparation, you could almost regard it as faultless and she’s coming to this off a personal best which is a real bonus.”

Alizee is a half-sister to the high-class sprinter and now Darley stallion, Astern and comes from an illustrious family that is anchored by her fourth dam Triscay, the winner of 15 races, five of them at G1 level, including the Flight Stakes of 1990.

Triscay was also a dual Oaks winner, which helps explain the confidence Cummings has in her ability to step up to the 1600m of Saturday’s race.

“We’d always had confidence that she could run a strong seven furlongs and her win at that trip last start dispelled any concerns we had about her running out the extra distance genuinely.”

Alizee easily accounted for her opposition in the Tea Rose, decisively beating Champagne Cuddles, who was subsequently second in the G1 Golden Rose last weekend.

“The form has worked out very strongly for Alizee who I think has the ability to be regarded as one the best fillies of her generation,” Cummings said.