Promise fulfilled by Alizee in Tea Rose

The questions that had grown around talented Godolphin filly Alizee were all answered when she scored a comprehensive victory in the G2 Tea Rose Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

Alizee showed the benefit of both a step out beyond strictly sprinting trips and a change of riding tactics to burst clear at the furlong to score by a length-and-a-quarter from a classy field headed by Champagne Cuddles.

The win followed that earlier on the same card of Viridine in the Listed Heritage Stakes and also came a day after an equally emphatic win by Astoria, a colt who showed he was capable of a major success when winning the G3 Spring Stakes at Newcastle.

For trainer James Cummings the win of Alizee was welcomed as one of his most significant so far for Godolphin, and one which confirmed the scope and ability of a filly who is a half-sister to the high-class sprinter, and now Darley stallion, Astern.

She also became the first Stakes winner in Australia for her sire Sepoy.

“It’s fair to say the jury had been out on whether she would run a strong seven furlongs,” Cummings said.

“But she was very convincing, very strong. 

“We decided to ride her off the pace a bit and she settled nicely and had plenty to give when she needed it.”

With her ability at seven furlongs now proven, Cummings said he would consider giving Alizee her chance at a mile with the G1 Flight Stakes at Randwick on September 30 a likely target.

For Viridine, the graduation to Stakes company after wins at his only two previous starts, was accomplished with ease as he ran out a clear winner over Single Bullet and Albumin.

"He did a few things wrong early but when he was asked for an effort he stuck his head out and he really wanted to hit the line," said assistant trainer Darren Beadman.

"He's a lovely colt. He delivered twice over the winter on soft tracks, only by small margins, where he got into difficulty a few times and got out of it."

The Randwick double was soured somewhat by the defeat of the stable’s top-ranked Australian runner Hartnell in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.

Hartnell finished second, three-and-a-quarter lengths behind Humidor, after taking the lead at the top of the straight.